Harry's Sacrifice by Bianca D'Arc Read Free Book Online Page A

mountain. She’d been out of contact since then, but he trusted her abilities and her judgment. This first contact was key. He read through the communication as quickly as possible, intrigued with her words.
    Not only had she made successful contact with the base leaders in Colorado, but she had traveled north to another installation in what had been the Canadian Rockies to meet the leaders of another human enclave. This one, though, also housed two Alvian refugees—the former Sinclair Prime, who now called himself Bill Sinclair, and a woman named Jaci, who was now mated to two human males. Both had emotions and both were fugitives.
    Ronin placed a call to Gina, though there was no guarantee she’d be free to answer or even that she’d still be in the location from which she’d made her report. As luck would have it, the call was answered by Bill, the first Alvian to try the experimental treatment. He was now a fugitive, though he’d been highly placed in both Alvian society and the Zxerah Brotherhood before he’d been forced to run. Ronin hadn’t spoken with him since and had missed him, as much as an Alvian with no emotions could miss someone.
    “Patriarch,” Bill’s voice sounded constricted with emotion to Ronin’s ears. “I have missed your counsel these many months.”
    “As I have missed your presence. It is good to hear your voice. I understand you are called Bill now.” Ronin began the conversation on careful footing.
    “It is the name I have chosen.”
    “It is a strong name. I was pleased to read Gina’s report that said you are doing well. Am I to understand you are now in Colorado?”
    “Yes, Patriarch, but not for much longer. I am finishing installation of this crystal array today and will be departing for the north tomorrow. I make my home there now.”
    “Gina reports that Grady Prime has found his way to Colorado as well.”
    “He is here and will no doubt try to remain here. Gina is his Resonance Mate.”
    “I thought that might prove to be the case.” Ronin felt an echo of satisfaction with the idea that they had found each other.
    “She is also mate to Jim, the human leader of this facility. It will be tricky, but I have hope things will work out for them.”
    Ronin could hear the earnest note in Bill’s voice but couldn’t grasp the emotion. It was as if it was just out of his reach. He hadn’t yet taken the cure for his lack of emotion. It wasn’t yet time for him, according to the human seers who lived in his enclave. He had learned over the years to trust in their visions of the future and often consulted them before he made big decisions.
    “Gina reports another Alvian fugitive.” Ronin noted Bill’s significant silence on the matter. “You should know I have spoken with the Chief Engineer’s mate, Callie O’Hara. Seers say there is a lab tech on the run. Bill, that lab tech holds the knowledge of how to make the experimental drug that gave you emotions. They say she is the key.”
    “The key to what?”
    “To returning emotion to the Brotherhood.”
    “You can’t be serious. The Council would never—”
    “I’m not proposing to seek Council approval,” Ronin broke in. “If I could get a supply of the drug, I would make it available on a voluntary basis to the Brotherhood. You know how many would take the chance to feel—as you did. I propose to give them the choice.”
    “Ronin…that’s a big step.” Bill seemed to be considering the idea, but there was a tremor of uncertainty in his voice.
    “They should have the choice.” Ronin spoke in a low, persuasive tone. “It’s only fair. Don’t you agree?”
    Bill hesitated. “I suppose, but there is no guarantee Jaci would agree to help you. She was exposed accidentally in the course of her duties. Though things turned out well for her in the end, I do not know her feelings on the subject of making the treatment available to others. She may object.”
    “As is her right,” Ronin agreed. “But I would