Games Empaths Play Page 4

  “Actually, yes. They’re up and coming. They know the people better than we do, though we have the technology and the special group of empaths we work with. They’re just the shakeup needed to propel the joint company into the future.”

  “That’s what I thought when I read their prospectus. It’s good to know I’ve not lost my business sense even though I haven’t been in charge of the company fulltime in the past four years.” She kissed her uncle’s cheek. “Thank you for being here and for helping me deal with Father.”

  “Anytime, chiclet. Now, take yourself into that room and go decompress. We’ll see you tomorrow at the same time for the next round of negotiations. I have a feeling your father won’t be part of it.”

  “I can hope not. ’Til tomorrow, Uncle Stavros.”

  “Iji’s kiss, Astra. See you tomorrow.”

  Her uncle walked off, and she dealt with a couple other family members. Shooing them away from her, Astra scooted quickly through the entrance before anyone else could grab her. Once past the barrier, the soothing sounds began working at the knots that tied up her shoulders. “Oh, gods, Iji, Tama, and Dylan, thank you for this,” she moaned, kicking off her shoes. Dropping her briefcase, she threw herself into the nearest chair and then hit the massage button. Closing her eyes, she let the sounds, heat, and the vibrations loosen the tension and soothe away the leftover physical effects from Noah and Timeon. Facing her father and his infidelity to the family had been difficult. But she owed both brothers a debt of thanks for not leaving her side whilst she handled the private problem in such a manner. Now the question was whether to see them this evening.

  She knew they would leave her alone to let her decide and deal with the family issues. Sighing, she allowed the computer system to minister to her needs to help revitalize her as she debated the issue.

  Chapter Four

  A noise penetrated Astra’s foggy sleep, and she moved stiffly as awareness filtered into her brain. Something had woken her, caught her attention. Then it happened again, a slight scratching sound. Opening her eyes, realization hit her. She was still at the Mediation Centre, and it was early in the morning. I need to go home. Shit, I just meant to relax, not sleep here all night.

  Standing, she lifted her hands over her head to stretch out the kinks. Luckily there weren’t as many as she’d thought she would have for sleeping in a massage chair. Those chairs for empaths -- chairs her company manufactured -- were indeed quite capable of helping an empath achieve almost complete rest and relaxation. “Wow, I can honestly say I’ve slept in one of our chairs for a night and didn’t notice any problems, just some slight stiffness from not moving around. I’m the perfect advertisement for these things,” she mumbled to herself.

  The scratching noise got slightly louder as she tried to find her shoes. As she saw what was making the noise, Astra chuckled. It seemed that the small computer-controlled vacuum cleaner was losing the battle against sucking up or moving her shoes. Picking them up so the vacuum cleaner could continue its job, she laughed. “There ya go, Fido. Now you can finish your work, and I can rush home and change.” Her stomach clenched and rumbled to remind her she hadn’t eaten. “Oh, yes, and get food. Lots of food.”

  Grabbing her fallen briefcase, she headed out the doorway and made her way downstairs and out of the building. Finding her vehicle, she unlocked the door with her retinal scan and slid behind the guide seat. “Home, James,” she muttered, punching in the coordinates.

  The engine revved, and the onboard computer took over the controls. Her body throbbed, but a hot shower would help revitalize her. Food in her belly would help combat the floating feeling she had. She concentrated on her thoughts and the fact that she had slept dreamlessly. Neither taunted by images of Noah and Timeon, nor worried about her family and the business issues. Amazing and so very freeing. It meant something, and she wasn’t sure she was willing to find out the reason, at least not in the case of the brothers Helspawn.

  The car pulled into the driveway, and Astra smiled at the sight of her small home. Granted, it was on the huge Crysomark estate, but it was her own private home, given to her by her grandmother and one where no one, not even Father, could enter without permission. She sent the car into standby mode and alighted from it, then walked briskly to her front door. Once there, she glanced up for three seconds, twisted the doorknob, and entered.

  A small, flitting ball came to her. “You have messages, Lady Astra. Two priority, two personal.”

  “Play the priority first, Flit.” She made her way up the stairs, heading toward her private bath.

  She listened to the message from her father, his ranting and raving about making her pay for her public disclosure of his use of House Crysomark funds. When that was over, Uncle Stavros’s voice followed.

  “The family knew you’d seclude yourself from us after your father’s exposure and denouncement. We gathered and voted, as is our right. You will be the new head of House Crysomark. We shall make official declaration in four weeks. Unofficially, it takes place now. I know this is not what you wanted, Astra, but there is no one else. I’d take the position, but your father’s cronies would protest. I promise you that it’ll work out.”

  Astra stopped with a sigh on one of the stairs. Her worst fears had come true. She was head of Crysomark, which meant more restrictions and less freedoms heaped upon her. Not to mention that she’d be forced to take some kind of marriage contract within a year. But there’s no one I want to marry -- well, no one long-term.

  Sighing, she hurried up the stairs. Once at the bathroom door, she called out, “Shower, regular temperature.” Turning to Flit, she spoke. “Play the personal, but my hearing range only.”

  “As you command, Lady Astra.” It clicked and whirred as it brought up the personal messages and angled them for her hearing.

  The first message, from Noah, came with a hologram. Astra continued to strip off her clothing as the message played.

  “Dearest Lady Astra. You’ve not shown up tonight, and I’m concerned for you. I know things with your father have probably made your life complex, but my brother and I would like you to come visit us as soon as possible. Just let me know you’re okay, and we can figure another time that’s more convenient for your visit to our home.”

  Astra smiled. Noah was being very reserved, more like Timeon than himself. She looked at the dark hair and eyes, enjoying how concerned he seemed for her. She could fall for his charms oh-so-easily if she let go of her vaunted emotional control. Stepping into the hot shower, she allowed herself a moment to enjoy the attention that Noah and Timeon had given her. The water pounded on the muscles of her back and shoulders as she leaned back, wetting her hair.

  “Next message, Flit.”

  “Yes, my lady. It’s from House Helspawn’s Lord Timeon.”

  “Audio only.”

  “As you wish.”

  She shampooed her hair and rinsed while listening to Timeon’s smooth-as-velvet voice. Her grin grew larger as he also expressed concern for her and offered his assistance, as well as that of House Helspawn in any matter that needed taken care of.

  Knowing that both men wanted to help and be there for her, intimately and personally, made her feel protected and safe. Unusual sensations, considering that no one but her uncle had ever moved to protect or comfort her in her time of need. Astra cleansed her body and released the new emotions, allowing her ability to sense deception to remain clear and untainted. There wasn’t much time to prepare herself for another day of negotiations.

  “Water off, air on,” she commanded as she spread her arms and legs out. A whirl of warm wind replaced the water, drying her thoroughly and quickly, including her hair. Once she felt she was ready, she stepped out of the shower and grabbed a multicoloured silk robe, wrapping it around her body. She sent the laundry into the nearby chute and sighed.

  Without wasting more time, she slipped past Flit and into her dark green bedroom. The room was her oasis, just like this home. Even being the
head of House, she wasn’t giving up this place. I won’t, and they can’t make me. That huge house can go rot, for all I care. “Lights, thirty percent.”

  Walking directly to her closet, she palmed the lock and waited for the small screen to come to life. She had coordinated her wardrobe early in life to prevent her from having to rush in the mornings, but today was different. This day was her first as the acknowledged and publicly designated leader of Crysomark and Crysocorp, not just a class-ten empath. Scrolling through her many suits, dresses, and ritual gowns, she finally picked the one she knew would make an impression on both houses and perhaps urge people to finish the negotiations.

  “Selection alpha thirty-one and gamma fifty, please.” Walking over to her dresser, she removed the matching lingerie set, enjoying the feel of silk under her fingers. This would be the first time she wore this outfit outside of the house; it wasn’t one she’d previously thought she could pull off. It was more daring than any outfit she’d ever worn, though it was something her mother would’ve worn without a thought. Today, she had no choice. There were many things at stake, including her reputation.

  Pulling on her bra and panties, Astra whirled to the open closet, both items shimmering in the dim light. Touching the silky fabric, she sighed. Her mother had originally designed this outfit, and when she’d died, the design had been put away. Two years ago, Astra had decided to honour her mother by having it made. Now it was time to honour Lady Allista Crysomark again by taking her seat as head of House and as the captain of her life. No more dealing around her father or taking things from the government. Her position allowed her a place upon the government council -- the first high-class empath in such a position, as far as she knew, since no other empaths were head of House among the major Houses.

  Maybe this was meant to be. Maybe, just maybe, I can make a better world for everyone, including us empaths. Or perhaps I’m to do what I can for my House and make changes for empaths through my status this way.

  “Mistress Astra, a class-four emergency message,” Flit tittered as it entered into the bedroom. “Audio and visual.”

  Sighing, Astra quickly tossed her robe on and looked at Flit. “Open channel.”

  A small image of Uncle Stavros appeared in front of her. “Astra, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m the only one who won’t muck around, trying to play games. I’m sorry, but your father has killed himself inside the Crysocorp building after learning from Aunt Sedonia about your ascension.”

  “What?” The room seemed to spin while she tried to get her thoughts under her. “Father is ... dead? I don’t understand.”

  Stavros sighed on the hologram, and Astra realized that he hadn’t contemplated her father’s mental state and was as shocked as she was. No one had anticipated Giles reacting in such a way. “I’m sorry, Astra. Last night, your father stomped over to Sedonia’s estate and demanded that she do something to counter the actions taken against him. Then she, being Sedonia, gave him the coup de grace. She told him that you were taking over as head of House and that he was to go to one of the smaller houses owned by the family and he could shove his attitude.”

  “Oh, gods above. You know how much Father --”

  “I know, Astra. However, Sedonia is our family line matriarch. Giles should’ve just listened and accepted. There are notes left for you, me, and Sedonia in his office. I’ve taken the liberty of contacting House Helspawn and explaining the circumstances. They’ve agreed that we all need four days in order to get affairs straightened and look at the requests for contract revisions. We’ll join back together in five days.”

  Astra nodded. “Of course. Stavros ... was it bad?”

  His eyes seemed to darken as he nodded. “He used one of the neural stimulators, Astra. He then cut himself to embed it.”

  “Oh, Iji’s heart!” Tears sprung at the corner of her eyes, and her body shook with emotions that she hadn’t thought she possessed about her father. “Why? Did he say why?”

  “You have your letter from him to open, Astra, dearling.”

  “I can’t go there. I don’t think I can go there, Uncle.”

  Stavros nodded. “You are Head, though. But you are also a class-ten empath and might be affected by residual emotions. Is there anyone you trust to escort and protect you?”

  “I’m not sure. I -- I might know two people,” she stuttered, her heart crying out for Noah and Timeon. “When must I arrive?”

  “In the next two hours. The incident is being dealt with by the government and cleanup crews, but you must be here within that time,” Stavros extended a hand. “I grieve with thee, child of my sister.”

  “I grieve with thee, brother to my mother. May his soul be entrusted to Iji and Helu.”

  “Peace, Astra. I shall see you when you arrive.” Stavros faded from the transmission field.

  Astra placed her back against the closet door and allowed tears to flow. Her body shook as she sobbed for herself and for her father, who had chosen death over punishment. “Oh, gods ...” she cried as she allowed herself to vent out the hurt, anger, embarrassment of having Giles as her father and knowing that despite all that, in the end, she would miss him. Flashes of her life with him made her cringe with pain at his treatment of her and, at the same time, remorse for what she hadn’t done to make it better.

  Gathering herself together, she wiped away the last of the tears and pulled her robe tighter around her. “Flit, please call Noah and Timeon of House Helspawn.”

  “I’m dialing, Mistress.” The ball dipped slightly in the air, acknowledging the request.

  “You can call me Lady, Flit. Just because I’m head of Crysomark doesn’t make me a Mistress. Whether that’s the title given to the head of House or not, it’s not one I want.”

  “But it’s the formal --” The silver and blue ball danced anxiously in front of her.

  “I know, Flit, but don’t.” Astra rubbed her eyes and inclined her head. “Connect now.”

  Side-by-side images of Noah and Timeon filtered up from the holo imaging. She nodded to them both. “Thank you for taking my call. As you’ve probably heard, my father, Giles, committed suicide at the Crysocorp building. I need to go there, but going alone isn’t an option. Not --”

  “You’re class-ten, Astra. We’ll be at your home in thirty minutes. My deepest condolences.” Noah looked at her intently. Worry not. We won’t let you handle this alone, Astra.

  I don’t think I can. It will be bloody, and I fear the emotional residue.

  Don’t worry, my love. We’ll not leave your side.

  “We’ll be there shortly, Astra. Just know we won’t be pulling out of the merger, no matter what. We’ll get someone in to clean the place and remove the psychic residue,” Timeon pronounced.

  “Thank you, Timeon. This means more to me than I can say.” Astra paused and inhaled deeply before speaking. “I am now head of House Crysomark.”

  “Oh.” The men shared a glance, then looked back to her.

  “Please, don’t.” She felt emotions churning in her. They were going to pull away; she knew it. What was to stop them? It was okay when she was only the daughter, but as head of House, she would be almost untouchable. “Please don’t leave me,” she whispered so very softly.

  Noah’s head snapped up. “We’re not leaving you, Astra. It just complicates some matters.”

  “Our businesses? I don’t see how.”

  “No, our personal lives, dearest,” Timeon soothed as he gave her a reassuring smile. “But we’ll work it out. I promise.”

  “So, you’ll still come with me to see --”

  “Yes, dearest. Now, go ready yourself. We’ll exchange information in person.” Noah closed his transmission, leaving only Timeon in front of her.

  “He’s worried about you. We both were. You never called last night.”

  She felt herself blushing. “I fell asleep in the empath room at the Hall.”

  “Did we tire you out that much?” He smirked at her.


  Saying nothing, she just looked at him, the heat rising in her cheeks.

  “I see we did. Well, you tired us, as well, Astra.” His smile reassured her and caused another round of flushing. “Now, go get ready. We’ll escort you, and you won’t have to worry.”

  Timeon dismissed the holo vid, and Astra stood there for a moment. They were going to go with her. That was all she needed to know. Relief filled her, and the dread sense of going in alone disappeared. She put back the outfit she had picked out and selected another.

  Carefully, with respect, she pulled it on. It was an outfit she’d thought she wouldn’t have to wear for years. The pearl-grey fabric was soft and silky, but the meaning was clear -- mourning. On the sleeves were the marks of her House and her station. Technically, she should get them changed, but not today, not right now. It was too soon to contemplate her status shift. She had barely recovered from that, and now her father’s death made it almost impossible to bear.

  The custom was to wear nothing beneath the long gown. Mourning meant forgetting yourself and thinking only of the person. Thinking about her father was hard. Many times she had wished for no father. When her mother had died, that thought had only increased when he demanded more from her and her talents, yet gave nothing back, not even love. Had he loved her, she could’ve forgiven his behaviour. Now, he was gone, and part of her felt like an orphan. Truly an orphan lost in the world of Peruth.

  Reaching for the soft grey leather boots, she sighed as she felt a new heaviness descend on her shoulders. Head of House, daughter of a suicide, and a class-ten empath who’d had an emotion-based sexual encounter, which was illegal in her world. Could anything more press down upon her? Of course it could, especially now. Resisting the urge to sigh again, she slipped on the boots, then headed out of the bedroom. Her hair was left loose, instead of the usual trademarked French twist. Without any makeup on, it was easy to see she was in mourning. People would leave her alone. Right now, she wished they’d all leave her alone, though that was impossible, not with how her father had died.