Rebellion by Sabine Priestley Read Free Book Online Page B

has placed a bounty on my head.”
    The newly elected president of Sandaria was an old enemy of the Cavacent clan, but what he’d want with a Portal Master, Balastar couldn’t guess. “What happened?”
    “I persuaded the bounty hunter to look elsewhere,” Marco said with a grin.
    Balastar activated his com and did a quick search. The hit was almost immediate. He sent the results to the vid for the others to see. Durgan Serred and the other eight Portal Masters that had defected with him were wanted men.
    Balastar shook his head. “He wants the Portal Masters dead?”
    “Alive,” Marco said. “That much was clear. If he’d wanted them dead, Durgan here would be.”
    “I don’t understand,” Balastar said to Durgan. “Why would Prayda want you returned to Sandaria?”
    “I doubt Prayda is behind the hit.” Durgan frowned. “I’m quite sure the Portal Masters are pulling the strings.”
    “They want you back?” Balastar asked.
    Mordo and Durgan shared a glance. “It would appear so. Although we are not clear as to why they would go to such lengths. We are less than a quarter of the guild.”
    “A quarter,” Balastar said. “I always assumed there were more of you.”
    “Apprentices yes, but not full masters. Few make it past the fourth year.”
    “Looks like your hunting days are over, my friends.” Balastar killed the feed to the vid.
    “Over, perhaps,” Durgan said. “But not in vain.”
    “You found someone?” Balastar asked.
    “Not someone,” Mordo said.
    “Something,” Durgan finished, holding out a small black box.
    Balastar took the device. It was identical to the one Armond used to create portals. In theory, there were people in existence that possessed an alternate form of psi. With the help of the rogue Portal Masters, they could use the device to create interstellar portals. It was these people who Mordo and Durgan were searching for. As for the devices, now plural, they had no idea where they came from. As far as they knew, being able to create interstellar portals without the guild had never happened before. Interesting times, to be sure. “Where did you get it?” He handed the device back to Durgan.
    “Sitting in a vendor’s cart at an open air market. We’d just purchased it for next to nothing when the bounty hunter appeared.”
    “How did he find you?”
    “ She found him by pure luck,” Marco said. “Kept tossing around Gordat Prayda’s name like it meant something, so I mentioned Supreme Commander Torril Anantha, and we came to an understanding.”
    Balastar cocked his head. “Have you met Commander Anantha?”
    Marco flashed his boyish grin. “Not exactly, but I figure Rucon’s relationship with him is close enough.”
    “Well played. I’ll report to Rucon.” He turned to Mordo and Durgan. “I’d prefer you not leave the ship again until we get back to Earth. We can depart as soon as my current contracts are loaded.”
    “They ain’t going anywhere on my watch.” Marco crossed his arms.
    Mordo sighed. “Agreed. Let Rucon know of our findings. We’re going to contact Armond and arrange a meeting as soon as we arrive.”
    “All right.” Marco rubbed his hands together. “If no one needs me, I’m going back planet-side. I know a certain bounty hunter who needs consoling.”
    * * * *
    Nearly a week after Jafferies’s death, Ty sat in Merek and Trin’s small but immaculate kitchen. It was fifteen years to the day since his parents were killed.
    He toyed with the crust of his sandwich as sun streamed through the lace curtains behind the sink. The anniversary always brought sadness to the Sordina household. Ty hadn’t wanted to come, but staying away would have broken Trin’s heart.
    “How’s Father Arlo today?” Trin asked.
    “He’s fine,” Ty said. “The underground took in that family he mentioned last night. I told him we’d let the boy work in the shop if he wanted. I assume that’s all right?”
    “Sure.” Merek took a bite of his