Kahal had to get away. He thought he had always done well to handle all the pressures of his position in stride. Constantly being surrounded by people, constantly being asked questions, constantly being in the spotlight. But after eight days of no sign of Rahn, he felt his emotions bubbling up inside of him more and more. Yes, he was gaining a much better understanding of the heightened emotions his youngest brother had displayed countless times since meeting his small, alien Life Partner.

The guards were looking for Rahn, of course. Kahal had decided it was safe to do so. Even if she had decided to resume her undercover identity to finish this case on her own, it would only be natural for the guards to be looking for Lana, disappearing mere days after escaping. So no matter the circumstances of her disappearance, he felt it safe to involve the guards.

But they were also stretched thin with the clean up from the raid nine days ago. There were so many people to interview, so many to interrogate. So much evidence to comb through. So much follow up to do. Not to mention all of his other duties. But he knew deep within him that this wasn't over. And that Rahn had known that too. And that was why she was missing. He knew it. He needed more time to get out and look for her himself. More than the time that he had been able to acquire.

Now here he was roaming the streets right after dusk, unsure of what exactly he was looking for. Anything at this point. And if nothing stuck out to him, he would go and take another look at the facilities that some of the guards were still coming through. Anger surge threw him at the thought of how a secret underground facility could be built right under their noses. An operation like that would have had to have taken many years.

He combed through the streets and markets, where he had seen Rahn frequent before, and was just about to turn towards the underground facility, when a familiar figure caught his eye. He ducked into the shadows under the awning of a closed shop as he watched the male purchase a loaf of bread from a bakery, just as they were about to close.

The male turned and began to walk down the street, and Kahal was able to see his face. "Got you." He said to himself as he quietly followed the male. When the male came to a dwelling and used a key to let himself in, Kahal double checked that no one else was around to witness anything, and then quickly snuck up to the dwelling, looking in through any uncovered windows to determine if anyone else was within.

After just a few minutes, Kahal jumped into the shadows against the side of the house as the back door cracked open. He watched for several minutes, expecting someone to come out, but nothing happened. Finally the male's head popped out the door and he looked out at the darkness and softly called out "If you're out there, Dom, come in before you're spotted. We need to have a chat." Then he disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.

Shock ran through Kahal from his feet to his bald head. Dom? Was this a trap? Or did Rahn have a hand at this? He waited just a moment, weighing his options. But eventually he decided he couldn't miss his one opportunity to find Rahn.

Once inside, he found the male sitting at a small table, his arms crossed comfortably on top of it. Kahal closed and locked the door behind him, keeping his eyes on the male. Kahal felt a strong urge to tackle the male and demand answers. But instead he took a moment to take a calming breath. Relax, Kahal. He told himself. You need to keep a calm, cool, collected mind. Rushing in full of anger and anxiety will not help Rahn. Showing how eager he was to find her would likely not help him either. He'd be showing a weakness they could hold against him, and Rahn could get hurt in the process. After his pep talk he felt more like himself and he calmly walked further into the dwelling. But instead of sitting at the table, he leaned his back against the wall, making sure no one could sneak up behind him.

"You're pretty good, you know." Butok began. "If I wasn't specifically looking for you, I don't think I'd have noticed you following me."

"Explain."

Butok sighed as if annoyed. "We need to relay a message. In person is the safest way to do that without it being intercepted. And since a certain female isn't able to meet you at the moment, she gave me instructions on how to do it. Honestly, I wasn't sure her instructions would work. They were so simple. But here you are." He smirked.

Kahal forced himself to stay loose and not to flinch in a mixture of worry and frustration. Why wasn't she able to meet? Instead, he simply waited for the male to continue.

"Despite the many members the Premier have in their cells, there are still enough out there to cause them problems. In fact I'd say recent events have amplified and accelerated the plans of those you have been concerned about."

"How many of you managed to escape the raid? What are your plans?"

Butok huffed. "You two are just alike. I can see why she likes you."

She does? Kahal began to ask, then quickly hardened his features. "And where is she?"

"She's fine, relax. She is exactly where she wants to be."

"Elaborate."

"She's doing her job. Infiltrating, gaining trust, and gathering intel. Isn't that what Lord Kahal is paying her for?" He raised a brow muscle in question.

So Rahn hadn't told him everything. If she had told him anything at all. "Are you telling me she went back in on her own? Where? How much of the organization is still left for her to be collecting intel?"

Butok held up a hand. "Slow down."

Kahal drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The male was right. "Ok but we don't have much time."

Butok leaned forward and spoke softly. "Stop looking for her. And get Lord Kahal to tell the guards to stop looking. She said you have his ear."

Kahal tensed and fought the urge to throttle the male in front of him. "I don't trust you."

"Of course you don't. Nor do I trust you. But we are in an unprecedented situation in which our goals align. That, and Rahn knew you would keep meddling and looking for her, and she needed me to get you to stop."

"Or you're just trying to throw me off."

"A likely scenario in your mind, I'm sure. But we are on the verge of all of this coming to a head, and you and I both need Rahn in place to make sure this goes our way. She can't have your or Lord Kahal's persistence blowing up this entire thing."

"And I am just supposed to take your work for it?"

Butok sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Listen, I don't like this any more than you do. But You're going to have to trust me. For now."

Kahal scoffed. "And why is it she can't meet with me but you can?"

"A story for another evening. We do not have time to go into all the details now. But in short, it is because Rahn is still in a position to do what I cannot. I no longer hold the trust of those who are a threat. They suspect I am not on their side. Those who are still within that circle of trust have gone into hiding and are being closely monitored. Thankfully those of us outside of that inner circle, that is to say those of us who they suspect, are still allowed in the outside circles. Which is how I am able to speak with her, but I fear we will be pushed out entirely at any moment."

"So you can see why it is less risky for me to meet with you. I am already under suspicion and kept at arm's length. She is not."

Kahal scoffed again, clenching his hands in frustration at his lack of information.

"She told me you would need reassurance." Butok commented. "Unfortunately, there is none I can truly give. Other than to hope you understand what is at stake, should you mess up this opportunity. Not only the consequences at large, but also you would be suffering the wrath of one headstrong female." Butok smirked.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You don't see each other the whole day?" Halan asked Ashima as the two females, along with Biechta and Thala, were seated for midday meal and discussing preparations for Ashima and Kietnan's Partnering ceremony in the upcoming days.

Ashima nodded "You say your goodbyes the evening before and don't see each other again until during the ceremony. I think most people have lost the actual superstitious beliefs of it being bad luck but a lot of people still do that anyway just for the tradition of it. And I think it's fun, it helps build the excitement."

"I think there are plenty of other ways to build excitement." Halan wiggled her brow muscles and the others giggled.

"It's certainly interesting. What do you think Biechta?" Thala asked.

"Oh um..." she glanced around nervously.

"We're all friends here, Bi. This is a safe place to share your opinions, dreams, wishes. Right ladies?" Ashima asked and the others nodded.

"I... I think I would agree with Ashima, it would add that much more excitement when you haven't seen each other for a while and then the first time you see the male you're devoting your life to is when you're both dressed in your ceremonial clothing, surrounded by beautiful decorations and your loved ones." Biechta added quietly.

"See!" Ashima laughed.

"We will have to remember that for when you and Othen decide to make it official." Halan smiled.

"Oh! Um...." Biechta's eyes rounded. "He hasn't... I mean..."

"If you were human, your face would be as red as a tomato right now." Ashima laughed.

"I don't know what all that means, but Biechta..." Thala turned to face the youngest female in the group. "We all have seen how you and Othen are with each other and wish you both a loving life together, you both deserve it."

"My queen... I..."

"But..." Thala held her hand up to show she wasn't finished. "There is no pressure. Othen knows he can't rush these things with you and we all simply wish you to be happy. Just do what feels right, you'll know in time."

"Thank you, my queen." Biechta said softly.

Thala nodded. "Besides, we all know that I'm not the best at determining these things for others. I tried to pair you with my eldest son first, did I not?"

The females all chuckled at the thought of how mismatched those two were.

"And I am confident I will feel the need to apologize to Ashima for many years to come." Thala turned and offered Ashima a tentative smile, which Ashima returned with a small pat on Thala's hand.

"I truly appreciate your support now, Lady Thala." Ashima offered.

Thala nodded sadly and then drew in a deep breath as she sat more upright and brought a more pleasant expression to her face. "The truth is, Biechta, I had an upbringing much like your own. Much was expected of me from a young age and many times it is still hard to remember to listen to my own heart and mind instead of defaulting to what I think others would expect me to do or think or say." Frowning, Thala looked down into her cup as if lost in thought. "My Japheth has been truly wonderful in supporting me. You would think after all of these years I wouldn't still be so affected by others' expectations of me. Particularly those of my parents. Even after their passing."

The other females remained quiet as the queen shared such intimate details, not sure how to respond. Finally, Ashima patted Thala's hand again and clasped it, offering her silent support. Thala looked up into Ashima's eyes and offered a small smile.