Open Secrets

“Come, T’Pry

“Submit.”

Releasing a howl of rage, T’Pry

Then T’Pry

T’Pry

“T’Pry

“Lies!” T’Pry

“Let me go!” she screamed at T’Nel. Instead, she felt her sister pulling her away from Sten even as he advanced toward them, lirpaheld high.

“T’Pry

Sten shouted, “Leave her! She is mine!” He swung the lirpaas he drew closer, its blade gleamed in the unforgiving desert sun. T’Nel released T’Pry

“Sten!”

All three of them stopped at the sound of the new voice, and T’Pry

“You,” Sten said, pointing his lirpaat Sobon. “You stand between me and what is mine. T’Pry

“She is not yours,” the healer replied, his voice even. “She rejected you and accepted the ritual challenge. You are the one without honor, for not releasing her from the sacrament. It is time to correct that mistake.”

Sten, having long abandoned all semblance of discipline and bearing, actually laughed at that. “If you feel you can rise to the challenge, elder, you are welcome to try.” The words were scarcely out of his mouth before he lunged forward, lirpaswinging for Sobon. T’Pry

The instant his fingers touched Sten, both Vulcans’ bodies were enveloped in a blinding field of red energy. T’Pry

“Dashaya-Ni’Var-kashkau-Veh-shetau-Sten,”Sobon said, and Sten shrieked, his eyes screwed shut and his mouth hanging open in new distress. At the same time, T’Pry

She’s real.

“Come with me, T’Pry

T’Pry

“What’s happening?” T’Pry

“Sobon is separating Sten’s katrafrom yours,” T’Nel replied, “but he is growing fatigued. Sten is still very powerful.”

T’Pry

“He needs help,” T’Pry