In Fire Forged: Worlds of Honor V-ARC Read Online Free PDF Page A

and from the demands Judith says they’re making, this has ‘political motives’ written all over it. But we don’t know a damned thing—yet—about who these people are. Until we know more about the situation we can’t risk any communication outside of this immediate group.”
    “The entire Masadan exile community here may suspect Miss Ruth is missing,” Vincent reminded the prince delicately.
    “I know,” Michael said, “but other than Judith and Dinah, no one knows Ruth has been kidnapped.”
    “Actually,” Judith said, “Dinah was suspicious before I was. Something she said made me very careful when I went down to check with my neighbors. When they said Ruth wasn’t with them, I said that I guessed that Ruth must have gone across to Dinah’s apartment, and I’d check there. When I came back up here to report to Dinah, that’s when the call came.”
    Dinah smiled and pushed herself back from the table. “But I’ll wander downstairs with the excuse that you forgot to get milk for the tea. While I’m there, I’ll mention how excited Ruth was to see her ‘Uncle Michael.’ ”
    When Dinah had left, Judith motioned everyone to seats around the round table that dominated one end of the room.
    Michael returned his attention to Vincent Valless.
    “Vincent, I know your job is to keep me out of physical danger. If I promise to duck if you say duck, retreat if you say retreat, will you work with me on this?”
    “If I have your word,” Vincent said. “I would be more comfortable, however, if I could report the changed situation—especially one so charged with political implications—to my superiors.”
    “I know,” Michael said. “So would I. There’s just one problem. Until we know who took Ruth, no avenue of communication is safe. For example, while I’m certain Elizabeth isn’t involved—”
    “I should hope you would be certain, sir!” Vincent looked shocked at even the implication that the Queen might be so accused.
    “Right. But I don’t know if someone close to her might be involved. Someone might have a tap on Mount Royal communications. Or it might be something simpler, someone near at hand, nearly omnipresent—a servant, say—paid to report if certain matters are discussed or even if I call Elizabeth within the next few hours.”
    “I understand,” Vincent admitted. “I don’t like the implications, but I understand.”
    “I thought you would,” Michael said. “I wouldn’t need you to be my second skin if people were honest and the world was a safe place. Very well. You have my word that I won’t put myself in physical danger or go against your direct command if you decide I’m in such danger.”
    Todd, whose alert silence had reminded Michael that his friend was training in Tactics with every intention of winning a command of his own someday, now spoke directly to Judith. “Count me in. I’ve been security checked this way and that, I’ll bet, since I’ve been Michael’s roommate not once, but twice. You can trust me.”
    “I do,” Michael said. “Even without the checks.”
    “And I will,” Judith said, “if Michael says so.”
    Vincent Valless cleared his throat and said, “I have seen those reports. You are wise where you trust.”
    Todd flushed in pleased embarrassment, but Michael had returned his attention to Judith. “Thanks for your patience. I realize you must be aching to get a move on.”
    “I would be,” she replied, “except that we don’t have the least idea where to make that move. Running about aimlessly would do neither Ruth nor our cause any good.”
    Michael saw Vincent shake his head in admiration for this display of self-control.
    You should see her on the bridge of a starship under fire, Michael thought.
    Judith, apparently unaware of these reactions, had continued speaking. “Obviously, the place to start is that woman from Human Services who came to talk to me. She gave me a name: Dulcis McKinley.”
    “Probably an alias,” Todd