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Page No 2
The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan
by
Isabo Kelly
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Page No 3
Copyright © 2000 Kat Tipton
Previously published by Dreams Unlimited.
Cover Art by Rickey Mallory
Cover Art copyright © 2000
Published in Canada by LTDBooks, 200 North Service Road West, Unit 1, Suite
301, Oakville,
ON L6M 2Y1 [www.ltdbooks.com]
All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced,
transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior
written consent of the publisher is an infringement of the copyright law.
National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Data
Kelly, Isabo, 1971-
The promise of Kierna’Rhoan [computer file]
ISBN 1-55316-065-7 (electronic) ISBN 1-55316-932-8 (REB 1100 & 1200)
I. Title.
PS3611.E45P76 2001 813’.6 C2001-902058-9
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Page No 4
The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 4
I’ve always wondered what I would do if there came a time to stand against
society, to
stand for something...something important. Something that mattered. Would I
have the courage
to fight for a belief? To defend an ideal with my very life? To kill for a
cause?
That last has always been the hardest question for me to answer. In my
imagination, my
life is easier to give away than the taking of another life. But that’s in
theory.
Who knows what we might do in practice?
-- From the journal of Kira Farseaker
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Page No 5
The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 5
CHAPTER 1
“Kira?â€
“Hush,†Kira hissed over her shoulder, never taking her eyes from the
roadblock ahead.
“Keep your heads about you,†she told the four women in the back of the van.
“They can’t know
if you don’t give us away.â€
Kira studied the stiff navy uniforms of the Guards, her practiced eye hunting
for the
familiar face. He was there. She knew he would be there somewhere. This
blockade had his
mark.
Convulsively her hands clenched the rough steering wheel. By force of will,
she relaxed
both her grip and her shoulders. He wouldn’t break her. Not now. And he
wouldn’t find her out.
They inched forward in the long line of vehicles, most the latest in
synthesized transport -
clean, efficient, small and cheap - toward the handful of Guards at the
roadside. The day was
bright with late autumn sun reflecting off the cars and the tarmac paving of
the road, glittering in
the rust sand that peeked between the long, low buildings edging this side of
the city. Beyond the
buildings, the land was covered with a mix of palms, succulent shrubs and
sparse, patchy salt
grass. At this southern edge of the city, the faintest hint of sea scent
wafted in the breeze.
This was the kind of day that Kira had loved as a child. Warm, but with the
hint of winter
to come. Days for playing in the backyard, or running on the beach with her
father. Now, she
barely noted the sparse clouds scuttling across the azure sky, or the late
autumn flowers that still
purpled the white salt grass. Her attention was focused entirely on the
roadblock ahead - and
searching the Guards for that too-familiar face.
Seemingly at random, the Guard on the left signalled and sent vehicles off to
a side area,
near a hastily erected portable office, for closer inspection. The passengers
of the vehicles were
asked to step over to a second group of Guards for further questioning.
Kira felt her lip curl in a snarl. All very efficient. All very organized,
and outwardly by
the book. She forced her mouth back to a straight, expressionless line.
Ten years ago, she wouldn’t have been bothered by this scene. It was routine.
The Guards
were free to randomly inspect the citizens of Narava for contraband, drugs,
illegal goods,
interplanetary imports, immigrants trying to avoid taxes and fees, aliens. The
Shifters.
No. Ten years ago, she wouldn’t have been bothered. Because ten years ago
there was so
much she didn’t know.
They reached the forward Guard, and Kira prepared herself for the inevitable
questions.
She didn’t bother to smile or flirt. The Guard, a man in his late fifties,
wore the familiar signet on
his uniform. He already knew who she was.
“Farseaker,†he greeted without inflection. His gaze traveled over her face,
then into the
back of the van, taking in the four other women.
“Officer Herot,†Kira returned. She didn’t know the man, not well, but she
had seen him
before, dealt with him before.
“You know the drill, Farseaker. Contraband? Illegals?â€
She couldn’t help the cynical smile that answered his questions. He already
knew her
answers. “What do you think, Officer?â€
“I think you’ve been skirting the law for too long now, Farseaker. He knows
you’re
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 6
involved with them. Deeply involved.â€
“If he had any proof that I was involved in something illegal,†she said
evenly, “he would
have had me locked away in a hole a very long time ago, Herot. And he would
relish putting me
there.â€
The Guard’s thick dark brows drew together over a prominent nose. His thin
lips pursed
for an instant, then flattened. “Pull the van over to the side,†he said,
gesturing to the second set
of Guards. “They’ll have to be questioned further,†he nodded to the four in
the back, “and the
van will be inspected.â€
“Of course.†Kira didn’t argue. She pulled the van to the side, hissing
another silencing
order as a nervous chatter started behind her. “Remember,†she said under her
breath, “they don’t
know anything. Can’t know anything. Just keep your heads and we’ll be all
right.â€
“Kira?â€
She looked over her shoulder at the sound of the timid voice. Vettine was
only nineteen
years old. Her cropped blonde hair and heart-shaped face gave her an ethereal
beauty, but her
deep jade eyes were wide with fear, making her look every year of her youth.
“You’ll be okay,
little sister,†Kira assured her with a firm voice. “Don’t panic on me now.â€
The girl took a long, shaky breath, straightened her shoulders and nodded.
“Good girl,†Kira murmured as a Guard walked up to the passenger side of the
van. This
Guard was a man she’d never seen before. He was young, but not too young.
Midthirties, she
guessed at a glance. Handsome, but far from pretty. A faint scar along his
right jaw and the first
few wrinkles of his age saw to that. His short, brown hair held just a touch
of wave. His black-
coffee eyes were hard and efficient. But there was something...
Something in his eyes. Something familiar, that she couldn’t name. Maybe it
was an
underlying quality of pain, or the hint of humanity she so rarely found in the
Guard. Whatever it
was, it was absent from the firm line of his mouth, the set of his jaw, the
sharp movement of his
arm as he gestured the four women behind her out of the van’s side door.
Whatever it was, he hid
it well.
When Kira turned to open her own door, he stopped her. “You’re to wait in the
car,
ma’am,†he told her sternly. And Kira almost smiled. He had a beautiful, husky
voice. A voice
she wouldn’t mind hearing more of. Her stomach twisted just a little,
pleasantly reminding her
that she was still a woman. Her gaze dropped to his chest, a rather nice,
broad one she thought,
before noticing the signet above his left breast.
Her self-control snapped back into place.
She turned, sitting forward in the van, watching as her four friends were led
not far away
by a half-dozen fully armed soldiers. She tried to relax against the seat,
tried to ignore the
inconvenient tear in the imitation leather that poked her in the back. This
could take hours, if
Ennoren saw fit to detain them.
The sound of the passenger door opening startled her. She looked over to see
the Guard
settle himself onto the floorboard, shifting so that his head wouldn’t show
above the dash. Kira
cocked her head to one side, raising her eyebrows, and the man flashed the
most charming smile
she’d ever seen. The grin was just a touch guilty, and would have made him
look like a
mischievous boy if it hadn’t stretched the scar and deepened the wrinkles
around his eyes.
He plucked a pack of cigarettes from a pocket inside his uniform jacket and
showed them
to her. “Not allowed to smoke on duty,†he told her as he tapped one from the
pack and stuck it
in his mouth. He replaced the pack and pulled out a small lighter while
staring up at her. Before
he lit up, he extended a hand. “David.â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 7
“Kira.†She shook his hand, quick and firm, and pulled her hand back before
she had time
to notice how nice his grip felt.
He lit the cigarette, took a long drag, then offered the end to her. She
stared at the thing
for a moment, then took it and helped herself to a puff. Through the cloud of
tobacco-scented
smoke she blew out, she studied him. “You been with the Guard long?†she
asked, handing the
cigarette back.
“Twelve years now.†He took another drag, never taking his gaze from her
face.
“You’re one of Ennoren’s.†She wasn’t asking. She knew the signet on his
uniform too
well.
He nodded, his dark eyes still locked to hers. “For about three years.â€
She half-smiled, chuckled and shook her head. “Too bad, really,†she said,
turning to see
how her friends were doing.
All four seemed to be holding up under the scrutiny of the men questioning
them.
Vettine’s shoulders were straight, her posture unwavering. Grainne’s stance
was relaxed and
cocky as she tossed her waist-length red hair over one shoulder. Breeanne had
her arms crossed
over her chest, her legs braced slightly apart. Her pale skin was flushed, but
her expression
controlled. And Jo, with her stylishly braided black hair brushing her
shoulders in the breeze, had
her hands on her hips, a slight smile on her full mouth, and a sexy glint in
her violet eyes. Kira
couldn’t help smiling. Her second would flirt with the Devil himself if she
were standing at the
gates of hell.
“Why too bad?â€
The husky voice brought her attention back to the man sitting on the
floorboard of her
van. He offered her the cigarette again, and she took a long drag before
answering. “I would have
liked to get to know you. Under better circumstances. I think I could have
liked you,†she
answered without guile, a slight, sad smile tugging at her mouth.
“‘Could have’?â€
She shrugged. “You’re one of Ennoren’s men.†She looked away again, thinking
there
was really no need for further explanation.
“Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions? Judging me based on the
Commander I
work under? You don’t know me.â€
Kira snorted and looked into his handsome, upturned face. “It doesn’t matter
whether I
know you or not. You work for Ennoren.†A movement to her left caught her
attention, and she
turned away from David’s narrowed eyes. She reached down for the cigarette
without taking her
eyes off the man walking toward the van. When she’d taken another drag, she
said, “Your boss is
on his way over. Better let me finish this.â€
David stood, unhooked a thin, foot-long cylindrical device from his belt and
began
running it over the interior of the van without another word. Her gaze flicked
to the device, then
back to the approaching Commander. The steady beep of the detector echoed in
Kira’s pulse as
she watched Ennoren step up to her open window.
He was tall and thin, with a face Kira had once found interesting, if not
attractive. All
lines and angles, sharp nose, hard mouth, heavy-lidded blue eyes; his face was
imposing,
commanding and often intimidating. But Kira had long since stopped being
intimidated by
Ennoren.
He looked at the cigarette in her hand, then into her eyes. “I thought you
didn’t smoke.â€
She set the cigarette against her lips, inhaled deeply and blew smoke in his
face. “I
don’t.â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 8
He waved the smoke away, a sneer forming in place of a smile. For a long
moment he
studied her, his eyes running over her faded, ripped jeans, the cotton flannel
shirt, her amber hair
where it brushed her shoulders. Then he turned to study her van, pointedly
staring at the cracked
dash, battered steering wheel and worn imitation leather upholstery. “New
van?â€
Kira nodded.
“I didn’t think you’d be into this late twentieth-century Earth fad, either,â€
he said through
a frown. “But then, you always were a fashionable socialite, weren’t you? And
since you have
the money to afford this mock-up of an Earth car...†He let the sentence trail
off as he looked
back into her eyes. “You’re looking good, Kira.â€
She stared back, taking another pull on the cigarette so that she didn’t have
to answer
him.
When she remained silent, Ennoren shifted his gaze to David. “Find anything,
Officer
Cario?â€
David straightened, snapping to attention. “No, sir. Appears clean.â€
“Well,†Ennoren said, turning a contemptuous look on Kira, “appearances can
lie.â€
“Was that a dig, Eain?†Kira said, keeping her tone mild, even as she used
his first name
in front of another Guard - something she did only to annoy him. His mother
had been a poet and
fond of alliteration. Ennoren went out of his way to keep his full name, Eain
Edward Evander
Ennoren, from his subordinates.
He covered his indignation well, but the slight narrowing of his eyes and the
flare of his
nostrils gave him away. “Take from it what you will.†He paused, studied her
again. When he
spoke, his voice was low. “The ring will collapse out from under you, Kira. It
won’t be long
now. Do you know what will happen to you when you’re found guilty of treason
and conspiracy
to commit treason against the planetary government?â€
“They’ll throw me into a hole?â€
“They’ll throw you into space without a suit,†he hissed. Dropping his voice
again, he
leaned into the car, putting his face only inches from hers. “End this now,
Kira. End it. Tell me
where they hide. I can see that you get off with a light sentence.†A slight
smile curled his lips. “I
might even arrange to serve as your paroler. Just like old times, eh?â€
Kira turned her head to take one final puff off the cigarette, time to gain
control over both
her revulsion and her anger, before turning back to his leer. “There’s a
reason those times are
old, Eain. I wouldn’t have gone to all the trouble of divorcing you if I’d
wanted to end up right
back under your thumb. Besides,†she half smiled, half snarled at him, “how
would I know
where they hide?â€
She watched with satisfaction as his leer turn into a lip-trembling scowl.
Flicking the
cigarette past his shoulder, she turned back to David. He was standing at
attention, a silent,
emotionless witness to the scene. “Forgive my ex.,†Kira said to the handsome
man. “He seems
to think I’m some sort of underground anti-government terrorist leader.â€
David raised an eyebrow. “Are you?â€
She smiled. Then she laughed.
The side door to the van opened and Kira’s four friends climbed up to the
padded bench
along the side of the van. Kira kept her eyes on David’s, enjoying the twinkle
of amusement that
didn’t filter into any other part of his expression. When the side door
slammed into place, Kira
leaned across the passenger seat and pulled that door shut. “It really is too
bad we didn’t meet
under different circumstances, officer,†she said when David leaned into the
open window.
His half-smile made his scar jump, his knowing stare made her pulse dance.
She chuckled
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 9
and moved back behind the wheel. Without another glance at her ex-husband, she
put the van
into gear and returned to the line of traffic hurrying away from the blockade.
David watched her go, feeling like he’d been kicked in the gut, and strangely
liking the
feeling. Kira was interesting. Beautiful, yes. Enough so that his pulse sped
just remembering her
golden-brown eyes and the sound of her sultry chuckle. But there was something
else about her,
under that smile and sharp attitude, that he wanted to get to know better.
Something that was
almost familiar.
He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had caught his attention, or his
lust, this
way. He wasn’t even sure if another woman had before this woman. That was one
of the few
things in the universe that managed to frighten him. But anyone who could make
Commander
Ennoren lose control was worth getting to know. Whether she scared him or not,
Ennoren’s ex-
wife could prove to be quite valuable.
His heart stopped for a single beat when the Commander cleared his throat
from right
beside him. David looked to see Ennoren also staring after the rapidly
retreating van. “Don’t let
her pretty face fool you, Officer Cario,†Ennoren said, his voice low, almost
a whisper. “She’s
not as sweet as she appears. A viper lives beneath that silky skin.â€
Knowing it best to keep his opinions to himself, David studied his
commander’s profile.
His nostrils flared, but other than that, his sharp features were now composed
and emotionless.
Before David could look away, Ennoren turned on him, catching and holding his
gaze. “You
don’t believe me, Cario?â€
“I have no opinion on the matter, Commander.â€
Ennoren smiled. “Yes, you do.†He cocked his head to one side, studied
David’s face
with eyes that saw beneath outward expression. The stare was disconcerting,
but David had faced
and hidden from it before. “Doesn’t matter. Because I think I can use this
situation to our benefit,
David.†He turned away and began walking toward the temporary offices. “In my
office, Cario,â€
Ennoren ordered, and David fell in step just behind him. “We’ve got a few
things to discuss.â€
Kira pulled past the front drive of her house and into a narrow lane at the
edge of her
property. The lane was flanked by thick stone walls covered in ivy, and
overhung by rows of
dense, leafy trees. The entrance to the lane was so overgrown by foliage, it
was almost
impossible to see unless you knew where to look. This lane led to the family
garage, and only
Kira used it now. Visitors used the front drive. Friends had other ways to get
in.
When she’d been a child, she’d thought the lane, with its cover and solitude,
a silly
addition to the estate. But her father had liked his privacy, coveted it more
and more as the years
went by. Kira hadn’t understood that need for privacy. She hadn’t believed it
was right for
people to hide behind walls. But then, she’d been an open and curious child, a
guileless adult.
Until her father’s death.
She stopped the van halfway up the lane, puffing out a breath. She didn’t
have time to
dwell on all the changes in her life. There was too much still to do. She
opened her door and
followed the others to stand a few paces in front of the van.
The transformation never ceased to amaze Kira. One moment, a perfectly
ordinary van
sat in the lane. The next, a beautiful, iridescent, hairless creature stood
staring at them. Its huge
multifaceted eyes whirled through purple to blue to green as it tilted its
otherwise featureless
head to one side. The long lines of neck and limbs made the creature appear
taller and far thinner
than it actually was, but since it could shift to most any visible shape, its
body dimensions were
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 10
relative.
That was close.
Kira smiled at its whispery voice floating through her mind. No matter their
emotional
state, the Shifters’ voices always sounded quiet to her. Not as close as that,
Xep. He never
suspected.
A human-like mouth formed in the iridescent gold skin of Xep’s face. The
mouth turned
up in a mocking smile. Though they did have a form of external hearing,
Shifters had no natural
mouths or vocal cords. They could only speak using telepathy when in their
natural state. And
only a very few humans could hear and speak back in the same manner. But Xep
was fond of
shifting just enough to convey all too human facial expressions. He suspects,
Kira. the Shifter
said as the mouth melted away.
But he doesn’t suspect this. He doesn’t suspect Shifters like you exist, Xep.
Jo reached behind a thick clump of ivy and tapped a code into a hidden panel,
opening a
disguised passage in the stone wall leading to the interior of Kira’s estate.
The group ducked
through the overhanging ivy and the door closed silently behind them. They
walked over short,
spongy green grass to a second secret hatch in the ground. This time, using
her foot, Vettine
tapped out the code that opened the door. After a short pause, a section of
grass slid over with a
hiss of escaping air. All six dropped down the ladder into a steel-lined
tunnel, and Kira tapped in
the code at a command panel to close the hatch again.
They turned and walked down the tunnel, lights overhead flicking on as they
approached,
flicking off once they passed. Kira, Xep’s quiet voice touched her mind, It
will not be long
before he discovers. Ennoren is a smart man. A cunning human. And he is
vicious.
Kira nodded, silently considering Xep’s words. She knew Ennoren was vicious,
had seen
it firsthand. Had run away from it in disgust and anger. And she knew he was
clever. But she was
clever, too. We’re almost ready, Xep. We can hide from him until then. She
looked at the Shifter
walking beside her, hoping to catch some sign of emotion in a face she
couldn’t read unless it
allowed her. This won’t be easy, Xep.
Nothing has been easy since the humans first came here.
Though no emotion came across in its mind-speak, Kira imagined the bitterness
associated with that statement and it made her heart hurt. She closed off her
emotional response
forcefully and turned her attention to the tunnel ahead of her. She couldn’t
change what had been
done to the Shifters in the past, and she couldn’t save all of them now. But
she could sure as hell
try to save some of them.
He seemed very nice.21 Xep’s quick subject change caught Kira so by surprise
that she
stopped for an instant. The odd looks the other women gave her started her
moving again with an
embarrassed grimace.
Ennoren? she asked.
Officer David Cario. He seemed very nice.
An uncontrollable picture burst into Kira’s mind of coffee-dark eyes, thick,
dark hair and
a dancing scar. Her stomach clenched and a tingle spread over her thighs. It
had been much too
long since she’d last been with a man, she thought ruefully. He’s one of
Ennoren’s, Kira told the
Shifter, forcing her mind-speak to sound stern. It doesn’t matter if he’s the
nicest man on
Narava.
He was quite taken with you. And you with him.
And you’re an expert on the subject, aren’t you, Xep? Kira thought at the
Shifter irritably.
How would you know anyway?
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 11
Kira looked at Xep. The mouth that had formed in its face was grinning at
her. She
snorted and turned away, hoping Xep hadn’t seen her blush. Stuff it, Xep. Kira
muttered. If she
hadn’t known better, she would have sworn the Shifter chuckled at her.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 12
Chapter 2
Kira stood at the edge of the elaborately carved red stone bridge, trying to
slow her
thumping heartbeat. The public transport line stopped just at the edge of the
Grand Bridge. She
was the only one who’d gotten off. No government-funded transport dared cross
that bridge.
Visitors were left to walk into the Docks - at their own risk.
She’d crossed that bridge before, walked the gray flagstone streets of a city
built above
the Dreic Sea and supported by wooden pillars sunk into the sediment below.
She’d even dealt
with some of the less than lawful citizens of the Docks. But always during the
day.
Night settled over the area, dark and forbidding. The moons had yet to rise,
leaving only
the stars and the glow from the city to light the bridge. She hesitated for a
minute more; but it
was too late. She couldn’t back out now. Squaring her shoulders and
straightening her black
cropped jacket, Kira stepped onto the bridge.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?â€
The unexpected voice made her gut clench and her hands shake for just an
instant. She
fisted her left hand, letting her short nails bite into the flesh of her palm.
She was in control again
when she turned to face the stranger cautioning her. Recognizing the face made
her smile and
relax her hand; then her smile dropped to a suspicious frown. “What are you
doing here?â€
David stepped from the shadows just across the road and strode toward her. He
wasn’t in
uniform, but there was still a formality to the way he wore his loose black
pants and tight
turtleneck shirt. His black leather jacket was a nod to the current fashion
fad, but it looked too
new and clean. “I should ask you the same question,†he said in that smoky
voice she found so
toe-curling. “This place isn’t safe at night.†His dark gaze lingered on the
red mini-dress and red
calf-high boots she wore.
“I’ve been here before.†She raised her chin, a small smile touching her
mouth. “And this
isn’t exactly a place where the Guard are welcome.â€
“I’m not on duty tonight. And we’re not forbidden entrance.â€
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here.â€
“Maybe I’m looking for something...hard to obtain.â€
Kira narrowed her eyes. The Docks were notorious for providing things “hard
to obtain.â€
The city was run by a family of very powerful and very dangerous criminals.
The government
called them a mafia. They bought and sold illegals, smuggled goods and people,
ran gaming and
prostitution rings, auctioned slaves, both alien and human, pandered to the
drugs and technology
trades, and all in the open streets and canals of the Docks.
The Guard didn’t go into the city - officially.
Government propaganda had it that the encroachment of the law into the
well-established
city would only start a bloody, vicious war. As long as the criminal element
remained localized
in the Docks, they were no danger to the citizenry. Common gossip vouched that
the Mafia paid
high-placed officials well to keep the law out of the city. Common gossip also
held that the
Mafia possessed certain alliances and weapons that scared even the
“all-powerful†planetary
government.
“I wouldn’t have taken you for a Docks patron,†Kira said at last, still not
convinced of
David’s excuse.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 13
“I wouldn’t have guessed it of you, either,†he countered. “I haven’t heard
your
explanation yet.â€
She bristled at the underlying order. It came dangerously close to reminding
her of her
ex-husband. The man, she reminded herself, who paid this man’s salary. “And I
don’t suspect
you’ll hear it any time soon,†she said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.†She
turned and started across
the bridge, her earlier fear replaced by indignation.
David fell in step beside her. The thick sea air moved across the bridge,
through the
buildings, carrying with it the scent of fish and an underlying hint of
something Kira couldn’t
name and wasn’t sure she wanted to. She paused at the edge of the bridge,
letting her eyes adjust
to the soft orange glow of the city streets. Then she headed down the first
major walkway into
the heart of the Docks, trying to ignore the man that had followed her over
the bridge. To her
irritation, he stayed beside her.
“I imagine you have other things to do here,†she snapped, stopping to stare
up at him.
She found it disconcerting that despite her high-heeled boots, he was still
several inches taller
than her. In heels, she was the same height as Ennoren, and she’d considered
him a tall man.
Even more disconcerting was the scent of David’s cologne, a combination of
musk and spice
blended with the leather smell of his jacket. It managed to tease her senses
without overpowering
them. She wanted to lean closer to that faint smell, to fill her lungs with
it.
“I’ll walk you to where you’re going,†he said, ignoring her dismissal. They
stood alone
on the main street, washed in orange light. He glanced again at the miniskirt
and the long length
of thigh it exposed. “I wouldn’t be comfortable letting you walk there alone.â€
Kira stared at him, her emotions shifting rapidly through amazement, to anger
and finally
settling on amusement. She smiled. When his eyes creased suspiciously, she
laughed, a sound
that boomed in the quiet streets. A man in a dark body suit and flight jacket
who’d just stepped
out of an alley glanced toward them, then gave them a wide berth.
Kira forgot to be afraid or angry. She patted David on the arm and grinned.
“Very gallant
of you. Not necessary. But a gallant offer nonetheless. Would that I could
allow it.†He frowned
and she hurried on. “The...hard to obtain item I have to get here is sold by a
man that wouldn’t
take kindly to me appearing with a...bodyguard.†She said the last with an
upward lilt in her
voice, half questioning, half teasing him with the title. “Besides, I’m sure
you’re not here to
follow a virtual stranger around. Go about your business, Officer. I’m well
able to take care of
myself.â€
He didn’t quite smile, but his scar jumped under the twitching muscle of his
jaw. “Okay.
As the lady wishes.†He bowed from the waist, which only made her laugh more.
She walked
away from him, enjoying the tingles he’d started in her body. When she felt
his gaze still
following her, she added just a bit more swing to her hips. It had been a long
time since a man
had made her feel this feminine, this sexy.
She turned a corner, crossed a canal, and headed down a second narrow street.
Her
momentary thrill at flirting with a handsome man vanished behind the need to
stay alert and
ready for anything. She watched the shadows as she walked through the alleys
with as much
attitude as she could muster. The surrounding buildings were all several
stories tall, with a
variety of cast-iron or stone balconies and window boxes decorating the stucco
facades. In
daylight, the colors varied from muted creams, corals and tans, to darker
blues, purples, oranges
and greens. The canals, kept cleaned by the natural currents of the Dreic,
still held a faint fishy
smell that permeated every alley and building in the city. The Docks had been
fashioned after the
Earth city of Venice in Italy. And if the pictures were anything to go on,
Kira thought the Docks
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 14
a close if not exact replica.
She crossed a second bridge, the dark waters of the canal reflecting the
orange glow of
the street lamps, and ducked down a final alley. The club’s entrance wasn’t
easy to find - you
had to know the exact door. The owners had designed it that way. She stepped
up to the
ordinary-looking green wood door, stared at the brass knocker. The cooling
autumn breeze that
managed to flow down some corridors and streets in the tightly packed city
didn’t reach into this
particular alley. A trickle of sweat inched down Kira’s spine. She raised her
hand and hoped
silently that the information they’d bought had been worth the price.
She knocked with bare knuckles against the thick wood, a pattern that was
supposed to
allow entrance without question. The door opened and she came face to face
with a very large,
very hairy Binnean doorman. The Binnean were one of the few alien races humans
had
encountered since embarking on their exploration of the galaxy. The species
was known for its
strength and violent tendencies. When the Binnean didn’t ask her her business
but merely
stepped aside for her to enter, Kira felt lightheaded with relief. She walked
over to the long brass
and glass bar which ran the length of the ground floor and took a moment to
study the club,
adjusting her eyes to the smoky light.
Everything was black and gold. The marble floors, the arched ceilings, the
second floor
galleries, the glossy tabletops, the golden glow of imitation candles, even
the majority of the
patrons wore some variation of black and gold. No, she decided after a more
thorough look.
Most of the men wore some combination of black and gold. Most of the women
wore bright,
flamboyant colors. But there were too few women in the club to notice those
flashes of color on
first glance. Kira wondered at the small number of women, but was glad that
their informant had
told her to wear red.
A Binnean barman stepped over to her and asked if she wanted a drink. The
creature was
so wide, he would have made three human men. His thick head and body were
covered with
neatly combed black hair; the only clothing he wore a pair of loose-fitting
gold woven trousers.
Two large, emerald green eyes poked out of the brown, smooth skin of his face.
His nose was
thick and long over a straight, full-lipped mouth. Hearing a polite question
from that mouth
seemed at odds with the stories Kira had heard of the Binnean. But then, in
the Docks, business
was business.
She ordered a beer and studied the booths at the rear of the club more
closely. She’d been
given a description, but already she’d seen a number of men who might fit it.
For a second, she
felt a tinge of panic. What if she couldn’t recognize him? What if he didn’t
show? What if she
picked the wrong man?
She was considering taking a walk around the upper galleries when one of the
men at the
rear of the club caught her eye, a slight, roguish smile on his handsome face.
The shoulder-length
sandy hair and light eyes, the overall build, even the pilot’s black jumpsuit
all matched the
description of her contact. She took one final glance around the ground floor,
then picked up her
bottle of icy beer and walked slowly toward the man, noting his casual,
arrogant slouch in the
booth and his obvious attention to her legs. “Raf?†she asked when she stood
across the table
from him.
His grin crooked to one side, and he nodded for her to take a seat. “So you
need a pilot
and a ship?†His blunt question surprised her. She’d thought there would be
more subtlety. At the
very least, she’d expected him to make a more lecherous comment to start the
conversation.
The fact that he didn’t made her look at him more closely. One arm was slung
across the
top of the bench, the other hung loose on the seat beside him, conveniently
within reach of a hip-
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 15
holstered weapon. His cocky grin belied the vigilant darting of his blue eyes.
She slid into the
booth. He may have looked at ease, but he was ready for anything. For some
reason, that helped
Kira relax. And after another careful moment’s consideration, she decided she
like Raf Tygran.
She didn’t trust him. But she liked him.
“How much?â€she asked, taking a sip of beer. She didn’t flinch when he named
his price.
She’d expected something higher. “When?â€
“I can be ready to leave planet within the week. I’ve a few details to settle
first.†His lip
twitched. “But getting them onto the ship and off planet isn’t gonna be easy.â€
Kira nodded.
When she didn’t answer his unspoken question, he spoke it. “You have a plan,
I take it?â€
“Of course.â€
“What about the detector rings?â€
“You worry about flying the ship,†she said, setting her half-empty bottle
down on the
table. “I’ll worry about the detectors.†And before he could ask, she said,
“I’ll have a clearance
code as well by the time we leave.â€
He shrugged and reached out to the nearly full glass of some orange-colored
drink that
sat on the table in front of him. “Your show, honey. I’m paid for my pilot
skills, not my tactical
skills.â€
“I hope you have a few tactical skills. Getting where we’re going isn’t going
to be easy,
either. And if it’s suspected that you’ve helped us, you won’t be able to show
your face here
again.â€
He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Do you think I’m able to show my face
here
comfortably now?†His gaze flicked around the room before settling on her face
again. “Why do
you think I come here?â€
Kira glanced at the room again, then leveled a hard look at him. “Why do you
come here?
To this club, I mean?â€
“Paid anonymity. You can buy just about anything in the Docks. Anonymity is
more
expensive than a lot of things, but not so expensive as others.â€
“Why are there so few women here?†she asked, picking up her bottle again and
cradling
it in her hands without sipping it.
“Too early. Crowds build with the night.â€
“Doesn’t it lessen your anonymity to be seen with one of the few women in the
club?â€
He grinned, a mixture of smug self assurance and amusement. “I’m too handsome
for
anyone to question why I’d be with one of the few women here. Especially since
you’re quite a
stunner yourself. Seems like an obvious conclusion to me.â€
For just an instant, she was awed by the sheer arrogance of that statement.
Then she
laughed and took a drink of her beer. He really should have annoyed her, but
the blatant
cockiness he wore like a shirt made it impossible for her to take his
flirtations seriously.
Unlike David’s more subtle seductive manner, she thought before she could
stop herself.
Her stomach did a giddy dance as the memory of his scent and dark eyes invaded
her thoughts.
She swallowed hard and forced herself to remember that David worked for
Ennoren. That fact
wasn’t going to change, no matter how he made her feel. And within the week,
Kira would be
leaving Narava forever. Another fact that wasn’t going to change. That thought
made her drop
her gaze and drink deeply from her warming bottle. A slight shiver shook her
shoulders despite
the relative warmth of the club.
“You okay?â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 16
Raf’s mild concern surprised her yet again. She smiled up at him and nodded,
forcing her
melancholy away. There wasn’t really much here for her to miss. And there was
so much to gain.
“Sir,†a hesitant voice coughed from the end of the booth, startling Kira.
She hadn’t even
heard the Binnean doorman approach the table. “A message was left for you at
the door.†The
guard handed him a flat, palm-sized electronic notepad.
Raf frowned, then pressed the play button on the bottom of the screen. His
frown
deepened as the message scrolled across the mini-screen. Nodding his thanks to
the doorman, the
pilot waited until they were alone again before speaking. He turned to Kira,
all flirtation and
cockiness set aside, and said, “I’m afraid I’ll have to call the evening
short. It seems my business
here has come to me.â€
Kira stared through narrowed eyes at him as he rose and gestured for her to
proceed him
from the curved seat of the booth. “Does this affect our deal?â€
“No. Where can I get in touch with you?â€
“Pat’ll know how to find me.â€
He nodded, distracted, and put a hand on her lower back as he ushered her
toward the
door. Kira didn’t resist, until she noticed a familiar face at the bar. She
stopped, suspicion
warring with irritation. “David.â€
“Kira.†His gaze flicked to Raf, who was standing just behind her with his
hand firmly
around her waist. “Who’s your friend?†It wasn’t a casual question.
“A friend,†she answered evenly. “Didn’t know you frequented this place.†She
was a
little nonplussed to see how well his all-black attire fit in with the
surrounding club. His manner
had also changed. The formality she’d seen earlier had lapsed into a relaxed
but powerful stance
that dared others to challenge him. Before he’d seemed so decent, so nice for
a Guard. Now he
looked dangerous.
“I don’t.†He still hadn’t looked away from the pilot standing behind her.
The bristling of male challenge was thick in the air between them, and an
irritant to
Kira’s skin. She didn’t have time for this show. “Nice to see you again,
David.†She turned to
face Raf, deftly removing his arm from her waist in the process. “I’ll wait
for you to get in
touch.†She turned her back on both men and walked to the door.
The doorman nodded a polite goodnight to her as she left the club. She
returned it but
barely, knowing that both men were following her out. In the dark, stuffy
alley, she turned in the
direction of the Main Canal, a less circuitous route out of the Docks. The two
men were at her
side within three steps like a couple of watchdogs. “Very inconspicuous,†she
mumbled under
her breath.
When a shadow detached itself from a nearby wall and hurried in the opposite
direction,
Kira decided that maybe conspicuous wasn’t always a bad thing. In a low tone
she hoped
wouldn’t carry in the echoing quiet of the streets, she said to Raf, “I
thought you had business.â€
He glanced over his shoulder, then looked straight ahead again. “Just keep
heading
toward the Grand Bridge.â€
David didn’t look behind them, but she felt him tense. “Are you armed?†he
asked the
pilot.
“Yes. You?â€
“Yes.â€
“Kira?†Raf whispered.
“Small blaster, but only strong enough to stun.†She ignored the sideways,
appraising
glance David shot her. They were walking at a steady, unhurried pace, the Main
Canal within
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 17
sight through the final narrow walkway. From the Canal, they had only to walk
to their left for
another two hundred meters to reach the bridge out of the Docks.
Every nerve ending screamed at Kira to run and run fast, but she had gotten
used to this
tension, this uncertainty over the last five years. She knew how to control
her anxiety. She also
knew, without looking over her shoulder, that they were being followed none
too discretely. The
streets ahead of them were cleared or clearing quickly - in anticipation.
“How’d you get here?†Raf ask her, glancing over his shoulder again. When he
looked
forward, he placed one hand on her elbow. The moved put his hand that much
closer to his
weapon.
“Public transport rail.â€
From the corner of her eye, she saw Raf grin. “Didn’t trust bringing your own
transport
close to the Docks?â€
“No.†She couldn’t help her slight smile.
“I’ve got a car not too far from the Bridge,†David murmured.
Raf nodded and steered Kira out onto the walkway that bordered the Main
Canal. Boats
sat moored to thick wooden pilings along the edge of the Canal; a few small
gondolas drifted
soundlessly by on the black water. The fresher air along the Canal was thick
with the scent of
sea, kelp and fish. Lamplight colored the walk a hazy orange-pink that might
have been romantic
if not for the utter silence filling the light and shadows. The only sounds
Kira heard were those
of her boot heels clicking along the flagstones, and the pounding of blood in
her ears.
They were within sight of the Grand Bridge, only a short sprint to its edge,
when a rough
growl rose behind them. “You may as well stop now, Raf.â€
Raf stopped, but nodded for Kira and David to continue. She wanted to
protest, but David
took her other elbow and began walking her to the Bridge.
“Nope,†the growling voice behind them said. “The others stop, too.â€
“This is between you and me, Gavuq,†Raf said, his voice low.
Kira and David stopped and turned slowly around. The owner of the growling
voice was
impossibly thin and tall. He stood well over seven feet, but he looked to be
made of no more than
bone. He wore a dark cloak over a billowing maroon robe of embroidered silk.
His face was as
pale as Narava’s two moons. His eyes glowed fluorescent yellow in the dim
light. The hood of
the cloak covered the top of his head, but Kira knew that beneath it he was
bald.
“I told you once before, Gavuq,†Raf said in an even, confident voice, “I
don’t traffic
your kind. There was no deal broken. You got your money back. So it’s time you
take your dogs
off my tail.â€
“You deceived us,†Gavuq hissed.
“Listen, you son of a bitch, I was the one misled. You knew from the start I
wouldn’t deal
with your kind. Not after what happened on the Venture.â€
“And yet you returned to the Docks to seek me out,†Gavuq said, with a
mocking bow of
his skeletal head. He spread his arms, palms upraised.
“To tell you to back the fuck off,†Raf almost shouted. “I won’t carry
Leeches on my
ship, no matter the money and no matter the threat. Find someone else, Gavuq.
But don’t fuck
with me anymore.â€
Kira felt the shifting of cool autumn air before she saw shadows roll up from
the steps
leading down to the water of the Canal. There were at least ten of them, all
tall and skeletal. And
deadly.
She flexed her right hand and a small stunner dropped into her palm from the
holster
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 18
strapped to her forearm. It wouldn’t kill the Leeches, it might not even stun
them for long, but it
would sure as hell slow them down. Raf already had his weapon in hand and was
backing toward
David and Kira. The three moved back to back, watching the Leeches surround
them.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 19
CHAPTER 3
“What now?†David asked without taking his eyes off the menacing shadows
forming a
circle around them.
“Make a hole,†Raf said. “Get over the Bridge. We can make a run for it from
there.â€
Kira tensed, waiting for the first attack. It came from her left.
The sound of a blaster pierced the silence and left the scent of scorched
molecules in the
air. As the single Leech hit by the shot fell to the flags, the rest of the
group swarmed in on Kira,
Raf and David. Kira began firing, not really aiming, just working to keep the
stretched limbs and
fingers away from her. Her small blaster did little more that punch the
Leeches backward a step
or two, disorienting them for several seconds, but never long enough to create
an escape hole.
The scent of fried skin and the hiss and growl of the Leeches surrounded her.
A long
white fingertip made its way past the blaster fire to touch Kira’s bare thigh.
The patch of skin
went numb and Kira screeched, a sound at once appalled, startled and angry.
She shot the finger
from her skin in the same instant, surprised to see it shatter under the
close-range power of her
little blaster. Before she had time to think about it, a second hand moved too
close, and she fired
with blind fury.
Then a hole opened up. She didn’t wait to see who followed; she broke through
and ran
to the Bridge. The numb patch on her thigh slowed her, making it more
difficult to move that
muscle. But determination and fear pushed her forward. She hit the stone
bridge at a full run.
Behind her, she heard the continued sounds of blaster fire and the low grunts
and occasional
high-pitched squeals of the injured Leeches.
On the opposite side of the Bridge she slowed and turned, unsure of where to
go next.
David and Raf were right behind her, still firing over their shoulders at the
following shadows.
“This way!†David yelled, and they ran toward a low, grassy hill.
David’s vehicle was a small, purple two-door sportster that looked as smooth
as it was
fast. Kira would have laughed at his fortuitous choice of cars if she’d had
enough air in her
lungs. The Leeches would never catch them in that thing.
The doors flew open at David’s shouted voice command. He stood at the
passenger door,
motioning her inside when the charge of blaster fire whizzed past her head and
hit David square
in the shoulder. He spun once and landed face-first on the soft shoulder of
the road.
“Shit!†Kira dove for the ground, rolling David face-up as another blaster
shot sliced
overhead. “David?†She shook him. He groaned and his eyes fluttered open.
“Damn it to hell.
Don’t die on me, Officer,†she ordered.
“Never, pretty eyes,†he murmured.
Kira was stilled by the compliment for a breath. Then she started moving
again, dragging
David to the open passenger door. Raf knelt at the side of the car, continuing
to fire in the
direction of the rogue blaster shots.
“I thought Leeches never used weapons,†she shouted, trying to get David into
the back
of the sportster. He was just conscious enough to get most of the way into the
car with only a
little help. But when his upper body lurched onto the seat he passed out,
leaving Kira to
manhandle his legs into the rear. She pushed the seat back, then crawled in,
sliding behind the
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 20
wheel.
“Get in!†she shouted at Raf even as she started the engine. She’d apologize
to David
later for using an override command code on his car. It was an emergency
precaution, bought at
a substantial price, in case a quick escape were ever necessary. The only
drawback was that it
ended up frying the vehicle’s circuits.
The engine roared to life. Raf dove in, still firing out of the open door,
only closing it
when the car screeched forward. “Where the hell was that blaster fire coming
from?†Kira
demanded as she punched the sportster into high gear down the curving highway.
“Damn me if I know! Maybe Gavuq wasn’t taking a chance on me getting away.â€
Kira spared him a withering glance, then focused on the road ahead, working
to keep
from killing them at the speed she was driving. “We’re gonna have to have a
talk about this
later.â€
“Later. Right now, we need to hide. I don’t think they’re gonna shake off
this easy. And
your friend in the back needs help.â€
Kira nodded, fishtailing around a corner and heading for familiar ground.
“Hey, where the hell are you going?†Raf demanded. “The city is in the
opposite
direction. What kind of help are we gonna find in the suburbs?â€
She smiled humorlessly. “My kind of help. Is our deal still on, Tygran?â€
“Absolutely. Only the date’s moved up. I need to be off planet within the
next couple of
days. Before the Leeches track down my ship.â€
“Shit,†she spat, then whipped around another corner. Xep! she called out
telepathically,
hoping she was close enough to reach the Shifter. She’d deal with the headache
this effort would
cause later.
Kira?
The mind voice wasn’t Xep’s, but it was familiar nonetheless. Daq, I’m coming
in fast
and on the run. We’re on Marshal Avenue in a purple sportster. I’ve got Raf
Tygran with me and
another man who’s been wounded.
Jo is opening the Creek entrance for you now.
Thanks, Daq. Tell Sam to be ready. She shot around a horseshoe bend and up a
low rise.
When she crested the small hill, the road evened out and followed a thin,
swift-moving creek
toward a larger, bare hill. To the left of the road, opposite the creek, a
number of mansions
commanded a view of the Dreic Sea, unmarred by the sight of the Docks farther
down the coast.
“Brace yourself,†Kira warned as she drove straight for the bare hill where
the road dead-
ended.
“What the...?†Raf didn’t have time to say more as Kira drove into the hard
earth...and
through it into a narrow cavern.
“Hologram,†she told him, bringing the vehicle to a stop. As she disengaged
the engine,
the dash fizzled and hissed before shorting out. Sighing, Kira lifted the door
manually and rolled
out.
They were surrounded immediately by a handful of humans and Shifters. “Sam,â€
Kira
nodded to the medic, a short, well-muscled man in his late fifties, “take care
of him, please. But
keep him unconscious until I decide what to do with him.â€
“What about you?†Sam said, frowning down at her leg.
For the first time since the Leech had touched her, Kira looked down at her
numb thigh.
A circle of skin was black and sunken, as if some of the muscle beneath had
been removed. She
felt nothing, but at the sight of the wound her stomach rolled. “It’s
nothing,†she said, brushing
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 21
away Sam’s attempt to examine the wound more closely. “I’ll get it taken care
of in a little while.
Right now, the man in the car needs your attention more than I do. He was hit
in the shoulder
with a blaster shot.â€
Sam nodded reluctantly, knowing she was right about which wound was more
life-
threatening. He moved to the car where two other men gently lifted David out
of the back seat
and onto a gurney. David stirred under the handling and opened his eyes. They
were bright and
wild-looking - and stared right at one of the Shifters that was helping Sam.
The medic administered a fast-acting anesthetic knockout, putting David under
again
before they settled him on the gurney. Kira could only hope he wouldn’t
remember it later. She
watched until they wheeled David out of sight down one of the corridors
branching away from
the cavern. She fiddled with the ends of her jacket, worry momentarily making
her forget there
were others around.
A gentle, cautious touch on her shoulder brought her back to her
surroundings. She
looked up into Daq’s multifaceted purple-blue gaze and smiled faintly. Thanks.
Where’s Jo?
Command. Don’t worry, Kira. Sam will see to the man. He will recover.
I know. Kira’s brow furrowed. But he’s one of Ennoren’s, Daq.
The Shifter dropped its hand. After a silent minute, Daq said, It’s no
matter, Kira. He was
wounded. You did the right thing.
But what am I going to do with him now?
You will think of something. Daq said, conveying a confident “feel†that
wasn’t like a
tone of voice, but more a touch of emotion. It was the direct conveyance of
abstract thought and
feeling that human telepaths couldn’t manage.
“I’m glad someone here is confident in my abilities,†Kira murmured aloud.
Then she
remembered whom she had called to first. Daq, where’s Xep?
Daq hesitated, glancing at Raf. The pilot lounged against the side of the now
useless
sportster, chatting easily with a couple of Kira’s people. Breeanne was at the
front of the group,
legs braced, distrust etched in her large, pretty face and deep in her gray
eyes. Kira could tell by
the woman’s stance that she was grilling Raf on the events of the evening.
When she pointed at
Kira’s leg, Kira knew the woman was demanding an explanation.
She almost felt sorry for Raf, having to face Breeanne when her ire was up.
Until she saw
the wicked, flirty glint in his blue eyes. Then she felt sorry for Breeanne.
Raf? Kira called telepathically, a test that was hard to hide from when taken
off guard.
Most telepaths, whether they realized they were or not, had trouble hiding all
signs of reaction
when a voice dropped into their heads unexpectedly. Raf didn’t even twitch. He
kept smiling up
at Breeanne, who was taller than him while he leaned against the car, and
continued answering
her battery of questions.
He’s not telepathic, Kira told Daq.
Daq still hesitated. Taking Kira’s arm, the Shifter steered her toward a
tunnel next to the
one where Sam had taken David for treatment. Before she could be led away
entirely, however,
Kira called to Breeanne. “Make sure the pilot is given a room. And if it makes
you feel better,
Bree, keep a guard on him. You could even do it yourself.†She grinned at
Bree’s scowl, while
Raf bellowed out a laugh that echoed in the cavern. He winked at Kira, and she
smiled back
before allowing Daq to move her down the hall.
At the end of a short walk, the corridor branched out in three directions.
Daq indicated
they continue down the right tunnel, toward the area that the Shifters who
lived in the complex
called home. They didn’t go far before Daq stopped and opened a brass-inlaid
door. The room
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beyond was bare but for a pile of pillows in one corner, a stack of paper
books and e-books in
another and a low table in the center of the room with a large flower and
plant arrangement
growing out of the wooden tabletop.
Why are we in Xep’s room? Kira looked up at the Shifter who still seemed
nervous,
though Kira couldn’t have explained why she got that impression.
Your blaster. Daq reached out a slim, golden-skinned hand, and Kira placed
the small
weapon on the Shifter’s palm. Daq set the blaster on the floor. In an instant,
Xep stood where the
weapon had been.
Kira’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped. “Xep? Shit.†Upset, she switched
to
speaking aloud.
I am sorry, Kira. Xep said, shifting his face into a human form so she would
see his
contrite expression. But I didn’t want you going into the Docks alone at
night.
“Damn it, Xep, what if something had happened?â€
Something did happen, Xep reminded her.
“I meant, what if David had had a detector on him? What if there were scans
on the door
at the club?â€
None of that happened. Besides, I was not in organic form. And I’m free to
come and go
as I see fit, Kira. I take my chances, as do you.
Her shoulders dropped. It was hard to be angry when Xep was right. “Sorry,â€
she
mumbled. But you should have told me you were with me. She switched back to
mind speech,
though her head was already beginning to ache. What if I’d had to abandon the
blaster for some
reason?
Xep nodded. That part was foolish. I didn’t think you’d allow my company
otherwise.
A thought suddenly hit her. You fired through the Leech’s finger, didn’t you?
She knew
her palm blaster didn’t have the power to cut through bone and muscle, even at
close range.
She’d been too busy at the time to really consider it.
I did. I don’t like Leeches.
Kira stared into the whirling blue and purple of Xep’s eyes for a minute.
Then nodded. I
don’t like them, either. She didn’t mention that Shifters were naturally so
non-violent that
humans had come close to wiping them out. Nor did she mention that, until that
instant, Xep had
never willingly hurt another creature.
Evolution in progress, she thought sadly to herself. The ability to injure
was not the only
newly evolved trait in the Shifters; it was just the one Kira most regretted.
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CHAPTER 4
David rolled onto his side with a groan, and immediately wished he hadn’t.
The pain was
a slow burn that started in his shoulder and spread over his entire body.
“Hold still a minute,†a
quiet, familiar voice ordered. He felt a sharp prick in his uninjured arm, and
within seconds the
ache eased away.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. The amber eyes he looked up into were bright with
concern.
He felt himself smile despite his grogginess. “Kira,†he greeted, pleased when
the concern turned
to relief. She had shed the trendy and expensive red mini-dress, which he
found a little
disappointing, and replaced it with a simple pair of brown leggings, a fitted
brown high-collar
tunic and a short mustard-colored vest. The leggings helped make up for the
loss of the mini-
dress.
His gaze swept back to her face. He had an almost overwhelming urge to reach
up and
run a hand through her amber hair where it fell over the collar of her vest.
The color was nearly
an exact match for the golden brown of her eyes, but there were a few streaks
of red in her hair.
And he wanted to trace those lines of russet light. Without thinking, he tried
to stretch his hand
toward her and was painfully reminded of his injury.
“Lie still,†she ordered, settling him onto his back and tucking the blanket
around his
chest without looking into his face. The brush of her hands against the bare
skin of his chest and
shoulders warmed him from the gut out. After a moment, she met his gaze. “How
do you feel?â€
“Like shit. How ’bout you?â€
She smiled. “I’m not the one that got hit with a blaster shot.â€
“No, but I saw the Leech wound on your leg before I passed out.â€
“Oh. It’s fine. Sam grafted new skin and muscle in its place, so I’m good as
new.â€
David frowned. “Sam? The medic?â€
“Yeah. He said you came to briefly.â€
“Then he knocked me out for the second time. Where are we?â€
She flinched and stood, pacing away from the bed to the door and back again,
absently
tugging at the edges of her vest. The movement put David on alert, wary of
what her nervous
gesture meant. After several laps of the room, she stopped beside his bed
again and looked down
at him, her expression too serious for David’s liking. “David, I’m sorry about
this. But I’m in a
tricky situation at the moment. And you work for Ennoren.â€
“Not Ennoren again,†he muttered, resenting his association with the man once
more.
“What’s your ex-husband got to do with this?â€
“It’s a long story.†She let out a loud breath; her eyes pleaded with him to
understand.
“I...I’m involved in something...David, I can’t trust you because you’re with
the Guard, and more
importantly, because you work for Eain. He’ll go to great lengths to put me
under his control
again, or to break me, whichever comes first. And I can’t allow that. I’ve got
too much at stake
right now.â€
“It’s the Shifters, isn’t it?†He hardened his voice and his emotions to her.
He didn’t like
the direction this conversation had taken. He hadn’t wanted to believe his
eyes, to believe the
accusations Ennoren had tossed at her. But the evidence was all around him.
“I’ve seen them
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 24
here. Are you hiding them? Trying to protect them from the law?â€
She straightened, her pleading look vanishing behind the emotionless stare of
a leader.
“You’ll have to remain here for the next week. You’ll be released...â€
“Released?†he interrupted. “I’m a prisoner?†He very nearly sat up in bed.
Only the
sharp stab of pain in his shoulder and a rush of dizziness forced him back
against the pillow.
“You’ll be released,†she continued as if he hadn’t spoken, “when there’s no
longer a
chance that you can lead Ennoren to us. I’ve no other choice. Your needs will
be taken care of.
One more session with Sam, and your wound will be almost completely healed.â€
Not even a trace of the emotions he’d seen just moments ago leaked into her
voice. That
coldness made him more angry than being kept a prisoner. “Damn it, Kira! After
the Docks, I’d
bloody well think you’d give me more consideration than that.â€
“Why?†she asked evenly. When he could only stare back in shock at the simple
question, she continued, “If I were a better leader, David, I’d have left you
behind. I
compromised both my people and my mission by bringing you here.â€
Her words were like ice dropping onto his stomach. Burning even as they
froze. This
wasn’t the way things were supposed to happen. She wasn’t really supposed to
be a terrorist. “He
was right about you,†David whispered, anger overwhelming his good sense. “The
Commander
said a viper lived beneath your skin. I didn’t believe him. Now I see I
misjudged you.â€
Her jaw flexed as she clenched her teeth. Her gaze moved to the white wall
behind him.
“I’ll have Sam come in to tend your injury now.†She turned and left the room
without looking at
him again.
But that hadn’t prevented him from seeing the single tear slip down her
cheek.
David cursed at the ceiling, long and graphically. Torn between guilt, fury
and
impotence, he was still grumbling when the door slid open again and the medic,
Sam, walked in.
David had only vague memories of the man, fuzzy and distorted by pain and
knockouts. Looking
at him now, the man wasn’t nearly as tall as he’d first thought. He was short,
really. His thick
gray hair was tied in a low tail. His clean-shaven, angular face and large
hands were deep
reddish-brown, and though both were lined with age, the medic moved with the
ease and grace of
a much younger man.
He settled on to the edge of the bed and examined David’s wound, first with
his hands,
then with a small med-scan. David watched, resenting the older man for no good
reason but that
he was one of Kira’s people. Another terrorist. Sam ignored the angry gaze,
going about his job
with cool efficiency.
When he’d finished scanning David’s injured shoulder, Sam took an epidermal
skimmer
from the table beside the narrow bed and ran it rhythmically over the wound.
Since Kira had
already given him another shot of painkiller, David didn’t feel anything but a
slight tingle as the
medic slowly repaired the damaged tissue around his shoulder.
“You’ll still have some trouble with this shoulder for a few months, a bit of
stiffness,
until the muscles fully recover,†Sam told him, “but it’ll heal well with only
a little scaring.â€
“I don’t get a skin graft?†David asked acidly.
Sam looked up at him. “I don’t like you enough to give you a full skin graft.
They cost
too much, and you’re not worth it.†The medic turned back to his work, leaving
David glowering
in indignation.
When Sam finished with the skimmer, he set his equipment on the table next to
the bed
and looked hard into David’s eyes. David stared back without flinching. He’d
be damned if he’d
be intimidated by the older man - he’d faced worse in the last twelve years.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 25
“She didn’t deserve that, you know?†Sam said in a hushed voice. “She’s under
enough
pressure, responsible for enough as it is. She’s doing the best she can...â€
“For herself, maybe,†David shot.
“No. For the people around her. For the people who depend on her for their
very lives.
She’s taken on a great deal of responsibility in the last four years. More
than she should have.
More than anyone should have to.â€
“If you’re trying for my sympathy, you’re wasting your breath. She’s a
terrorist,
harboring Shifters, breaking the law. Besides, I’m the one who’s the prisoner
here.â€
“She has to keep you here. It won’t be for long.†Sam stood and turned toward
the door.
“And if it were me,†he added over his shoulder, “I would have chucked you out
onto an
abandoned street with a memory wipe. But that’s just me.â€
David watched the door close on the medic, not sure whether to shout or curse
or spit. He
settled on another round of cursing up to the ceiling. He cursed the medic,
the Shifters, the room
he was confined to. He cursed Ennoren and Senator Rodregez for putting him in
this position. He
cursed the Leeches for attacking them, the other man that had been with Kira
for bringing the
Leeches down on them, the unknown bastard who’d shot him. And most fervently,
he cursed
himself and his weakness for the amber eyes of a terrorist.
Kira rubbed her cheek when she felt a hand on her arm, but she didn’t turn
around. “How
is he?â€
“Well enough,†Sam said. “How are you?â€
“Fine.â€
“I’ve known you for too many years for you to lie to me that badly.â€
She felt a small smile tug at her mouth, but it lost its battle to form. She
sighed and faced
the old medic. “It’s just...He doesn’t deserve this, Sam. To be held against
his will like this.
Especially after...â€
“Kira, you’re doing what you have to do.â€
“I know, it’s just...†She let the sentence trail off. She didn’t know how to
put the feeling
into words that Sam would understand, the feeling that she was betraying David
in some way.
“Have you ever stopped to consider why he was at the Docks last night? Xep
told me
how you two met. Why would he turn up, just like that, seemingly by accident
in an area where
Guards don’t go?â€
“I know, Sam, I know. Of course I’ve thought of it, and I’m sure I’ve reached
the same
conclusion you have - that Ennoren sent him to spy on me, maybe to seduce me
for information
because I showed an interest in him at the blockade. And even if all that
weren’t true, David is
still a Guard, and he’s seen the Shifters; and according to government and
police policy, he has
to report their location to the exterminators now.†She took a deep, shaky
breath, then spread her
arms helplessly. “But knowing all that doesn’t change my guilt, Sam.â€
The older man rested a hand on her shoulder, considering her for a quiet
moment. He
nodded, pursing his lips, and moved past her down the corridor. “You’ve always
felt responsible
for the feelings and circumstances of those around you, Kira,†he said as he
walked away.
“When do you start taking time for your own feelings?â€
She watched him disappear around a bend in the corridor. Then quietly, to the
empty hall,
she said, “When I have time, Sam. And right now, I don’t have the time.â€
A familiar feeling began to twist in her gut, overwhelming and cancerous.
Helplessness,
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 26
impatience, knowing that she had too much to do and all of it a race against
time, against
Ennoren. And above all of that was guilt. Guilt that she couldn’t be
everything, do everything for
everyone.
She looked back at the door leading into David’s small med-room. She had
other things
to do, other worries, other responsibilities. But at that moment all she
really wanted to do was go
back into that room and ask his forgiveness, beg his understanding and
patience. The good man
that looked out of those coffee-colored eyes had to understand why she was
doing what she was
doing. She just needed to explain it to him. He wasn’t Ennoren.
But he was a Guard. A Guard under Ennoren’s command. And he was very angry
with
her at the moment.
A quiet blip sounded at her waist. She lifted her pocket-comm from her vest
pocket and
answered the request. “Kira here.â€
“Kira,†Vettine’s voice sounded out of the credit card-sized internal
communicator. “Jo
needs you in Command. And that pilot says he has to talk to you. You also
promised Xep a brief
meeting this morning.â€
Kira took a deep breath before answering. It seemed her choices had once
again been
made for her. “Tell Jo I’ll be up in five. Kira out.†She slipped the
pocket-comm back into her
vest and took one last, longing look at the door. Then she turned up the hall
and headed toward
the command center of the complex.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 27
CHAPTER 5
Somewhere in the midst of his damning the universe and everything in it,
David fell back
to sleep. When he woke, the painkillers had worn off. The ache wasn’t so bad
this time. He tried
moving his shoulder, cautious against the possibility of more pain, and looked
with grudging
respect at the masterfully tended wound. Only a faint scar remained. Better
treatment than he had
expected from the medic.
After a few minutes, when the ache didn’t get any worse, he hazarded more
movement
and sat up in bed. He was hungry. There were no windows in the room so he
couldn’t judge what
time it was, but his stomach told him it was probably well into the afternoon.
He glanced around
the small room and spotted his clothes laid neatly over a fold-out metal
chair. With a grimace, he
swung his feet to the side of the bed and stood. A rush of dizziness sat him
back on the bed with
a bounce.
“Shit,†he mumbled. As the dizziness passed and his vision cleared, he tried
to stand
again. This time he managed to keep his feet under him. He pulled on his black
pants and
turtleneck, gritting his teeth against the groan that threatened at the back
of his throat. He had to
sit down to catch his breath after getting dressed. He focused on the white
wall across from him,
trying to ignore the faint medicinal scent that permeated the room. Then, with
a determined
breath, he leaned over to put on his boots. The combination of knockout
after-effects and hunger
left him weaker than he liked. After finishing with his boot laces, he rested
his forearms on his
knees, letting his head droop. Being held by terrorists wasn’t a good time to
be weak. Food. He
need food.
He took a deep breath and stood. When dizziness didn’t drop him back onto the
chair, he
walked to the door. To his surprise, it was unlocked. In the corridor beyond,
where he’d expected
a guard, he was meet with only quiet air and steel-plated walls. Frowning,
David stepped out into
the hall and looked down the identical lengths of steel tubing curving off
into either direction. He
turned to his left.
As he walked, he patted the pockets of his pants, then cursed that he hadn’t
thought to
check his jacket for his cigarettes. With a sigh, he continued down the
corridor. The more he
walked, the more balanced he felt, less drugged and helpless. His stomach
continued to grumble,
but the weakness was receding, leaving his mind clearer. He didn’t like the
after-effects of drugs,
even when they were pain relievers. The fogginess and slowed reflexes left him
feeling
vulnerable. He didn’t like feeling vulnerable.
He turned down another unmarked hall, following a faint hint of voices, or
maybe the
buzz of machinery. The lights overhead flickered on as he passed, then off
behind him, leaving
the way he’d come in shadows. He stopped, looked behind him. Would he be able
to find his
way back?
Hell with it. It didn’t matter. If they wanted him locked in that particular
room, they’d
take him back to it.
Just as he was turning to continue toward the distant noise, he thought he
saw a
movement behind him in the darkened hall. The overhead lighting didn’t come
on. He rubbed the
back of his neck. If someone were back there, their movement would have turned
on the lights.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 28
He started walking again, but the nagging feeling that someone was behind him
didn’t stop until
he stepped out of the corridor and into what was undoubtedly the Command
Center of the
complex.
One wall was covered with screens, displaying areas of the complex, what
looked to be
rooms in a richly decorated house, the front door of a mansion, and several
outside views - none
of which he recognized. A number of the screens also displayed local and
interplanetary news
broadcasts. One screen, he noticed with something close to amazement, even
monitored the
Guard’s private communications channel.
The screens showing views inside the complex, however, provided the answer to
his
suspicion that he was being followed. The vids would have recorded his
movement, and
someone in this room must have been watching him pass through the halls. He
allowed a
grudging amount of respect for that alertness. No good terrorist should leave
a prisoner
unwatched.
The center of the large, well-lit room was taken up by a multi-base port
computer system.
Three people sat around the square, monitoring the screens before them and
voicing in
comments, commands, and requests. Opposite him, five doors left the Center.
To his right, what he guessed to be a communications board took up half the
wall. The
other half was covered by a huge tapestry depicting an early scene of the
first humans on Narava.
A man with long, straight black hair, sharp but handsome features, deep
red-brown skin, and
amber eyes played a central role in the action of the intricately woven wall
hanging. Beside the
man stood a woman in flight gear with waist-length red hair and dark brown
eyes that seemed to
flicker with life from within the two-dimensional portrait.
The tapestry held him, fascinated him. It seemed so out of place in the
technology-filled
room, and yet it seemed the very heart of the room. He studied the man in the
center of the
tapestry, staring at his amber eyes as if they held some knowledge, some
answers. When the
portrait didn’t answer his questions, he turned his attention back to the
room, hunting for one
face in particular.
She stood at the far side of the room, near the wall of view screens, talking
in hushed
tones with the man that had run from the Docks with them. David finally
recognized him. He
hadn’t remembered him before this moment, but now he recalled his image from
the Guard’s
mainframe wanted list. Raf Tygran, pilot, smuggler, hustler and thief. And,
David thought with a
faint snarl, womanizer.
A slow, building anger churned in the center of his gut, tensing his muscles.
He couldn’t
have explained why he was pissed. Of the many reasons he had to be pissed at
that moment, he
couldn’t have named which was the real cause. And he didn’t care. He warmed
himself with the
anger, letting it strengthen his concentration, focus his confused emotions.
He watched their
discussion, watched the way Kira pushed her amber hair behind her ears, the
way her forehead
crinkled when she frowned, the distracted look of concentration in her
golden-brown eyes. He
had attracted attention when he’d entered the room. Other people glanced at
him, nervous or
hesitant looks, but no one approached and asked his business. That was good.
It gave him time to
slow his pulse and control his anger before approaching Kira and Raf. He
needed that anger,
needed it to remind him that he was a prisoner and she was a terrorist, but he
couldn’t afford to
let it get the best of him. Control. He had to remain focused.
He looked around one last time, then walked toward Kira. She hadn’t noticed
him yet;
and as he approached, he watched her frown turn up to a smile, then a great
booming laugh that
echoed in the cavernous room. The sound vibrated through him the way a single
clear note
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 29
vibrates through a tuning fork. He flicked a look to Tygran to see him
grinning at her like a cat.
David jammed his fists into his pockets to keep from using them on the pirate.
The irrational
desire to smash Tygran’s pretty face for making Kira laugh disturbed him.
Disturbed him as
much as her laughter had disturbed his focus. Should it bother him if Tygran
made her laugh?
He forced his misgivings aside, not willing to look too closely at his own
motivations. He
would simply dislike Tygran on principle. And if the need arose to pound on
the man a little,
well, he wasn’t one to argue with necessity.
Because he was watching, David saw Kira stiffen when she noticed him. Her
face closed
up, cutting off the brilliant laughter that had been there a moment before and
replacing it with
wariness. Tygran noticed the change too and took a step closer to Kira when
David stopped next
to them. The protective gesture irritated David almost as much as Tygran’s
ability to make Kira
smile. He clenched his fists and kept them wedged in his pockets. Control,
Cario. Focus. You
have things you need to do, answers you need to find. No time to let a pair of
pretty eyes bother
you.
He didn’t acknowledge the pilot, but put the full force of his fluctuating
anger into his
gaze as he looked down at Kira. She was keeping him prisoner against his will.
She was a
terrorist. She was Ennoren’s ex-wife, and therefore off limits. She
represented all the things in
his past that had brought him to this point.
And damn it all to hell if she wasn’t making it easy for him to forget why
all of that was a
bad thing. Just looking into those wide, amber eyes shook his control, blurred
his focus, made
him question his resolve. He had a job to do. Kira was part of that job,
nothing more. She was the
enemy, everything that Ennoren said she was. So why the hell did he want so
badly to kiss her?
“Kira,†he growled after a tense and silent moment. He let his anger burn in
his voice,
hoping it would hide his desire, needing it to hide his weakness.
She flinched. Part of David triumphed in that small victory. Another part
regretted it.
Kira looked at Tygran and said, “I’ll talk with you later, Raf.â€
David sensed the smuggler stiffening at the dismissal, but he didn’t turn. He
kept his gaze
on Kira’s face, watching every twitch, every emotion sliding through her eyes.
He was desperate
to hold onto his anger now. Watching that beautiful, expressive face leeched
away his rage. He
wasn’t sure he wanted to be in her presence without the anger as a defense.
“I’ve got to contact my co-pilot,†Raf said. “I’ll meet you later, Kira?â€
“Yes.†Then David and Kira were alone. She focused on a spot just past his
ear. “David.
How’s your shoulder?â€
“Fine. Sam left less scaring than he threatened to.â€
She quirked a brow at that, the barest of smiles crooking her lips. “He can’t
seem to help
being good at his job.†Affection for the medic leaked out in her voice. “You
must need food.â€
She snapped back to business. “I didn’t think you’d be up and about just yet.
I’ll have Grainne
show you to the dining hall.â€
“Why not you?â€
“I have work to do.â€
“Buildings to blow up, people to kill.â€
His comment made her eyes flare wide, and she finally met his gaze. “What the
hell does
that mean?â€
“Isn’t that what terrorists do? You are a terrorist, aren’t you, Kira?â€
“I most certainly am not!†The startled looks her explosion drew from the
others in the
room made her drop her voice to a harsh whisper. “I don’t have time to trade
insults and
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accusations with you, David. Now...â€
“Yes, now. You and I are going to talk. Now. Make time.â€
“Why, you son of a bitch! Who the hell do you think you are?â€
“Your prisoner.â€
She stepped back as if she’d been slapped. “I told you that couldn’t be
helped. I’m sorry.
I know you don’t believe that, but I am.†She took a steadying breath. “We
both know that you
would have to report this compound to Ennoren, David. You’ve seen the
Shifters, and it’s your
duty. I can’t let you do that.â€
“Why didn’t you just wipe my mind and dump me on the road like Sam
suggested?â€
“Because I don’t believe in mind wipes. Too many side effects, and too
dangerous to you.
Your entire memory could get erased by accident.â€
The explanation confirmed something about her that he had been afraid to
believe after
that morning. His anger wavered, then began to wane. Walking into the Command
Center, he’d
wanted, needed to think the worst of her. Now she was confirming his very
first impression of
her. He flashed on the image of her in ripped jeans and a flannel shirt,
looking down at him from
behind the wheel of her van, on the memory of that familiar something in her
eyes that had
drawn him even more than her beauty. And he knew something about her that
Ennoren hadn’t
told him. She wasn’t ruthless or heartless. She had honor.
But that knowledge also blurred the lines of his mission further. He remained
silent for a
long time, holding her gaze. Then he asked, “Do you have any cigarettes?†His
question seemed
to surprise her. She smiled. David’s gut tightened and a rush of heat pulsed
through his veins in
response.
“I don’t smoke,†she said, “but I can get you some. I’m afraid you’ll have to
confine your
smoking to certain areas of the complex, though. It’s not good for the
Shifters to be exposed to
too much cigarette smoke.â€
“Why not?†He frowned. It wasn’t too healthy for humans to be exposed to it,
either, but
he suspected she wasn’t talking about lung cancer and heart attacks.
She studied him then, looking deep in his eyes, assessing what she saw there.
For the first
time in years, he had to work not to fidget under that kind of scrutiny. “You
don’t know much
about Shifters, do you?†she asked.
He shrugged. “As much as most people know.†He jammed his hands farther into
his
pockets, uncomfortable with having shown her his ignorance.
“That’s not much,†she said with a sad shake of her head. “Shifters feed
directly from
nutrients in the air. Their cells take up needed molecules from the
surrounding environment, so
they can feed even when they aren’t in their natural form. That means that
they can take up
poisonous molecules from the air, too, like tar.â€
She fell silent, pursing her lips, then turned to the computer block at the
center of the
room. “Grainne.†She caught the attention of a thin-faced, red-haired girl who
was chewing the
edge of a mouse-pen. “I’m going to show our...guest,†she nodded to David,
“around and get him
some food. Beep me when Pat gets back, and let Jo know that Raf is gonna need
help with some
of the supplies we need. Oh, and have James meet me in the canteen with a pack
of cigarettes.â€
At the girl’s nod, Kira turned back to him. She tilted her head toward a
nearby door and
indicated with a hand that they should go. He walked beside her in silence
down a series of
corridors. The anger that had followed him from his med-room was vanishing. He
was no less
her prisoner now than he had been twenty minutes ago. But that fact didn’t
really bother him any
more. Oh, he still didn’t like having his free will inhibited; hated it, in
fact. But he was where he
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needed to be, sooner than he thought to get there. He glanced down at the
woman beside him,
caught her brushing an amber lock of hair behind her ear, and knew that the
sooner he got this
mission over with, the better.
He looked up as she led him through an open doorway into a large canteen. The
long,
rectangular metal tables that filled most of the room were empty.
“You missed the midday meal rush and you’re too early for the evening meal,â€
Kira told
him with a grin. “Good timing.†She led him to a series of auto-cookers lining
the far wall.
“Coffee?†When he nodded, she ordered two cups, then asked, “What would you
like to eat?â€
“Doesn’t matter.â€
She thought a moment, then ordered a bowl of mushroom soup and a loaf of
warmed
bread. “Tastes good after you’ve been under knockouts.â€
“My Irish granny used to make it by hand for me when I was a kid,†he told
her. “Swore
by its rejuvenating properties.â€
She grinned again. “Mine, too.â€
“My Italian granny swore by the healing effects of minestrone.†No longer
able to resist
her smile, he reached out and touched her jaw with his fingertips. His gaze
dropped to her mouth
when she licked her lips. “They argued about which was better for years.â€
“I’m not making you choose sides, am I?†Her voice was quiet, breathy.
“No.†He traced her lower lip with his thumb. She sucked in a sharp breath,
and his heart
pounded in a rush of masculine triumph at that small, telling sound. “They
took turns winning
the argument. The last time I was sick, I had minestrone. It’s Granny
McGuire’s turn to win.â€
“Oh,†she whispered.
The sound of bleeping from the auto-cooker startled them both and shattered
the moment.
David dropped his hand and took a deep, slow breath.
Kira pulled the soup from the open door of the cooker and handed it to him
without
meeting his gaze. There was a slight pink tint to her cheeks that made David
smile as he took the
plate of bread. He followed her to one of the long tables and sat, unable to
look away from her
face for long. So many emotions and thoughts passed through her eyes.
He was in trouble. He’d been in dangerous situations before, but none this
hazardous.
And it wasn’t just the threat of physical harm that scared him. After his
years with the Guard, he
was used to that possibility. No, this was a more personal threat, one that
could do more damage
than all the blasters on Narava. Faced with the harm Kira could do to him, he
would have almost
preferred facing an army of Binnean warriors.
They sat in silence for a few moments while he sipped his soup and studied
her face; then
she pulled a small card-shaped device from her vest pocket and tapped a point
on its surface.
“Command code: Farseaker, K. Begin Tchyvonian’s Symphony No. 8. Level 3.†The
room filled
with a light orchestral arrangement at a volume loud enough to cover the
silence, but quiet
enough to make conversation easy.
She slid the card back into her vest. At his raised eyebrows, she grimaced a
little. “I don’t
like total silence around food,†she said. “I know it’s silly, but I’ve never
liked listening to other
people - or myself for that matter - eat and drink.â€
He nodded, trying to stifle a grin. Her cheeks colored again, and she took a
long drink of
her coffee in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. His smile broke beyond his
control. His anti-
government terrorist leader didn’t like to hear people chew. He chuckled and
tore off a hunk of
bread. She was...disarming.
Feeling generous because she’d just blushed twice in less than five minutes
in front of
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him, he decided to change the subject. “Farseaker? Are you related to
Nathaniel Farseaker?†he
asked after swallowing a spoonful of soup. Nathaniel was one of the first
humans to settle
Narava. He was a Navajo from Earth’s North American continent, and considered
one of the
greatest space explorers of his time. He was responsible for the discovery of
more habitable
planets than any other star hunter in history.
She smiled, familial pride shining in her eyes. “He was my paternal
great-grandfather.â€
“That’s him in the tapestry in your Command Center, isn’t it?†He thought
he’d
recognized the scene, knew he’d recognized the amber eyes. When she nodded, he
said, “You
have the same eyes, though your coloring is different.â€
“He married an Irish woman. The lighter coloring carried down through my
dad’s side of
the family.†She shrugged.
“Brigit Farseaker. I remember her from history lectures, too. That’s her in
the tapestry
also, then?†Brigit was one of the first pilots to fly beyond Earth’s solar
system. Her relationship
with Nathanial was reputed to be...turbulent at best.
Kira grinned. “Yep, that’s her. I would have like to have known her.†She
sighed. Then
her expression turned serious again, and troubled. “David...I don’t know where
to start this
conversation. I think you deserve an explanation of sorts, but...Well, the
truth is, I can’t trust the
entire story to you. It would jeopardize too many lives if I were to tell you
some things, but...â€
She stopped, puffing out a breath and running a hand through her hair in a
distracted gesture.
“You could start by telling me why you’re harboring a complex full of
aliens.â€
“The Shifters aren’t the aliens on this planet, David. We are. We stole their
home from
them, and then very nearly drove them to extinction. And if people like
Ennoren and the
planetary senators had their way, the Shifters would be extinct within the
next few years. That
can’t be allowed.†All hesitancy left her voice and her demeanor. She spoke
with a conviction
that he couldn’t deny she felt soul-deep. It was the sort of conviction he
found painful to hear
and see. It was too damned familiar.
“Why?†he asked, his voice harsh with long-suppressed anger and pain. And
guilt. “Why
do you care so much what happens to them? They’re little more than animals,
mimics...â€
“They are thinking, feeling, intelligent, cognizant creatures,†she all but
shouted. With an
effort, she pulled in her temper and said, “Don’t believe all the government’s
propaganda. Their
so-called studies into the intellectual capabilities of the Shifters were a
farce at best, designed to
get public support for the exterminations. They are not dangerous beasts
lurking in corners,
waiting to take over human bodies like parasites. They lived here, evolved
here for eons without
the help of ‘human hosts’.â€
“Then explain why the government would want to spend all this time and money
on
extermination? It doesn’t make sense, Kira. If they’re not a threat to humans,
then why bother?â€
“Because they are a threat, David. They’re a threat because they evolve and
adapt better
than humans. Because they can be anywhere and without a detector, humans
wouldn’t know it.
That scares a lot of people. So a lot of people are willing to look the other
way while this
unknown is eliminated. It’s an old story in human history.†She dropped her
angry gaze to her
coffee mug. “We weren’t ready,†she murmured so quietly that he almost didn’t
hear her over the
building instrumental music.
“Weren’t ready for what?†He reached across the table and gripped one of her
hands
hard, urging her to look up. “What weren’t we ready for?â€
“For space travel, for meeting new species and cultures. It happened too
fast. I sometimes
wish Gerhaurst had never bothered with his research into tachyons and warping
drives. We
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 33
weren’t ready for the consequences of his breakthrough.â€
She made a sweeping gesture with her free hand. “We’re too arrogant, we
humans. We
still assume we have rights over other creatures. Even after all the eons of
evolution on Earth, all
the experience and learning on Earth and in the galaxy, we assume we have the
right to wipe out
an entire species because they scare us. And because we can.â€
The sadness in her voice touched something in him. A deep part of himself
that he’d been
trying to keep suppressed for six years. He wanted to run away from that quiet
sorrow and the
memories it brought almost as much as he wanted to wipe it from her face. He
moved his free
hand to cup her cheek, caressing the silky skin with his thumb. “Is that what
you’re hoping to
accomplish here, Kira? Are you hoping to change human arrogance?â€
“No. All I want is to give the Shifters the chance they deserve. At life.â€
Beneath his hand, he felt her jaw muscles clench together in an effort to
maintain her
control. But her eyes were dry and full of determination. David forgot about
his meal, he forgot
about his mission, he even forgot to be afraid of the consequences of being
attracted to her. He
leaned across the table, pulling her toward him with the hand on her cheek.
When she didn’t
move away, he covered her lips with his.
He kissed her gently once. Then he kissed her again, deep and with a
surprising hunger.
He pushed his hand from her cheek into her hair and squeezed tight. She tasted
of coffee and
something sweet, unlike anything he’d tasted before. He ran his tongue over
her lips, then urged
them apart until she opened to him. A small moan blew past her lips into his
mouth, and David’s
entire body pulsed to a demanding need.
But before he could do more than grasp her shoulders to pull her closer, a
bleeping sound
exploded between them. Kira pulled away, gasping, amber eyes wide and dark.
David groaned
and dropped back onto the bench, waiting for her to answer the pocket-comm. He
ran a hand
over his hair, ruffling the back through his fingers. But he couldn’t tear his
gaze from her lips.
After she took a few steadying breaths, she pulled the card from her vest
pocket and
answered the annoying summons. “Kira here.†She kept her gaze on the table
while she talked.
“Kira, Pat’s back.â€
“Thanks, Jo. Did he manage everything?†There was a long pause. Kira frowned
at the
card in her hand. “Jo?â€
“Honey, you’d better get down here. Pat has some news.â€
“On my way.†Kira snapped off the com-button and stood. She stared down at
him in a
detached, appraising way that was all leader and none of the passionate woman
he’d kissed
moments before. “You’d better come with me.â€
He looked past her stern expression into her eyes, and saw the fear. He stood
and
followed her out of the canteen without another word.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 34
CHAPTER 6
Command was silent when Kira walked in with David at her heels. All eyes
turned to her,
fearful and hopeful in a way that made Kira want to climb into a burrow and
hide. Something
was wrong, and they were worried. They also believed she would be able to fix
it.
She headed straight for Jo and the short, lanky man that stood with her. Pat
was in his
midforties, but his black skin had yet to show any signs of aging. His bald
head, trendy jeans and
flannel shirt added to the air of youth about him. Pat was a genius at
bargaining with the less-
than-savory people Kira’s group had to deal with. He was also a computer
hacker of unequalled
skill.
“Pat. What’s the problem?â€
The man looked at David, then back at Kira, his brow creasing. “Can we talk
in your
office?†he asked, his voice deeper than his thin frame suggested.
Kira nodded. “Jo, look after our guest, please. See that he gets some
cigarettes and a
place to smoke them. David,†she turned to the Guard, ignoring the tiny
shivers scurrying over
her spine when she looked into his face, “we’ll talk more later.â€
He inclined his head, his face expressionless, but his eyes were dark and
full of heat.
Kira moved across the room to her office door before she had time to worry
about the
heat. Pat followed her into the small, sparse room and she closed the door.
There were only two
chairs, and a small desk with a computer console and a communications board on
it in the room.
She nodded toward a chair, offering Pat a seat, but he declined. With a shrug,
she settled herself
on the corner of the desktop. “Okay, Pat, what’s the problem?â€
“First, the clearance code to leave planet is going to be harder to get than
I thought.â€
“Why?†She half rose.
He raised a hand to settle her and said, “Not impossible, Kira, just more
difficult.
Ennoren’s upgraded the confirmation procedures and checks. I can still get it,
but if you want it
to work, it’s gonna take a little more time.â€
“We don’t have much time left, Pat. How long are we talking?â€
“Couple of days at the most.†Kira took a relieved breath, but Pat shook his
head. “That’s
not our only problem, Kira.â€
She frowned. “What else? The Guard hasn’t found the new compound?â€
“No. It’s still secure. And they’re almost up and running. They’ll be able to
take over
once we’ve left. The problem is our new guest.â€
Kira felt a sick tumble begin in her gut. “Explain.â€
“He’s been reported missing already.â€
“Already? Shit. I thought Ennoren would give him at least a few days before
reporting
it.â€
Pat grimaced. “Well, we just happened to have rescued the only member of the
Guard
that has never missed a day, an hour of duty in his entire career. I checked
his record. David
Cario is from a family of Guard, and he takes the position very seriously,
Kira. Apparently, it
wasn’t even Ennoren that reported him absent. It was the duty sergeant. And,
according to
internal ears, the Commander laid into the duty sergeant brutally. Threatened
to send him up to
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 35
the Nordien ice wastes. That part didn’t make it to the news, however. Only
the fact that a Guard
has gone missing.â€
She took a deep breath, blew it out in a long, slow exhale that went some way
to untying
the knots in her stomach. “Damn. Well, there’s nothing for it now, Pat,†she
said, pushing her
hair behind one ear. “We can’t let him go yet. Not till we’re gone and this
complex has been shut
down. He’s seen too much. And before you say it,†she raised a warning eyebrow
at his half-
open mouth, “I’m not wiping his memory. Period.â€
“We could kill him,†Pat said without emotion.
“No,†she ground out, “we couldn’t.†She forced her jaw to unclench, then
said, “Pat, I
suspect Ennoren sent him to find me last night, to spy on me, maybe to gain my
trust. I wouldn’t
be at all surprised if Ennoren knew David was with me last night.â€
Pat looked at his feet, one hand tugging at his full lower lip. “That would
explain why he
got so angry at the duty sergeant, I suppose. If he were trying to set you up,
discover what and
where you’re hiding, he might have hoped that David would get pulled into your
circle.â€
“And if David shows up dead now? He’ll know we’ve taken him as a spy. It’ll
give Eain
an excuse to descend on my house with a search warrant. Not his first choice,
I imagine, since
for all he knows, this place is clean; but a very viable alternative for him
nonetheless. I’d guess
the only reason he hasn’t done it so far is that I haven’t given him an excuse
and...Well, even
Eain wouldn’t go out of his way to offend some of my father’s old associates.
He’d need a
reasonable explanation for the warrant. If David shows up dead, he’d have it.
And we can’t have
him searching the estate yet.â€
“But after the newscast, won’t Ennoren come asking questions anyway? Standard
procedure. He wouldn’t need a warrant for that. And I imagine there are at
least one or two
witnesses willing to say Cario was seen with you last night.â€
“From the Docks?†She raised a mocking brow. “I doubt it. But even if someone
were
able to connect us, that doesn’t mean Ennoren would come around asking
questions personally.
If he’s sent David in as a spy, and there’s a chance that David is still alive
and maybe earning my
trust right now, he won’t want to hint to me that he knows I was with David
last night. It would
make me too suspicious. I might start to question how Eain knew about David
and me at the
Docks, how he knew to start asking questions there so soon. David’s only been
missing for one
day. I’m sure there are a hundred other places they’d check first before the
Docks, unless they
already knew that was where David was.
“If David shows up dead, Ennoren has nothing to lose by coming here. But
until he
knows David’s fate, he can’t risk blowing his cover. He can fend off the press
with a made-up
story. He’s not a dumb man, Pat. He won’t show up here yet.â€
A bleep sounded from her communications board. She leaned backward and
pressed a
button on the board. “What is it, Jo?â€
“You’ve got a visitor upstairs.â€
Kira frowned. “Who?†She didn’t get unexpected visitors anymore. She’d
withdrawn
from her society circles after her father’s death. The only visitors she got
now were preplanned
engagements - or trouble.
She hurried from the office, Pat right behind her, to the wall of
vid-screens. She stared
mutely at the screen displaying the front door of her family home.
“Either your ex-husband is a lot dumber than you thought,†Pat said wryly,
“or he’s a lot
more clever than we guessed.â€
She glared at Pat, who only shrugged. Then she remembered David. He was
standing at
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the far side of the vid-screens, watching her. She shook off his scrutiny to
deal with the business
at hand. Damn him anyway for getting her into this mess with Ennoren. If she
were a better
leader, she would wipe his memory. If he was a spy, he was a danger to their
whole operation. It
was her responsibility to deal with him. But he was making it impossible for
her to consider
harming him in any way. How could she harm someone she wanted to kiss? Damn
him for that,
too.
She walked to the communications board across the room and punched in the
internal
comm-system for the house. “What are you doing here, Eain?†she demanded,
watching his face
on the screen.
He glanced directly at the vid-scanner and smiled. “Good afternoon, Kira. Did
I disturb
you?â€
“I’m in the bath.â€
“Alone? Or do you have company?†There was a familiar threat just beneath the
seemingly emotionless tone of his voice.
“I’ve got a string of lovers up here with me,†she answered, letting
amusement curl into
her voice. Without the benefit of a vid-screen on his side of the door, Eain
couldn’t see her
shaking hands or the thin sheen of sweat on her brow. Her voice betrayed none
of her fear.
“Open the door, Kira,†he snapped, snarling at the vid-scanner. “We have to
talk.â€
“About what, Eain?â€
“One of your lovers,†he growled.
Kira’s stomach clenched. “Which one?†Her voice didn’t sound as flippant as
she wanted
it to.
“Tygran. Raf Tygran.â€
For just an instant, Kira couldn’t breathe. She looked across the room to
where Raf stood.
He’d entered while she was in her office with Pat. Now he waited with the
others by the wall of
screens. “Who?†Kira asked while staring into Raf’s narrowed blue eyes.
“You know who I’m talking about,†Ennoren said, more pleasantly now. And Kira
knew
she’d hesitated too long before asking her last question.
“I’ll be down in a minute.†She snapped the comm-link off before she could
hear his
response, but she didn’t miss his smug smile. “Looks like our little shootout
with the Leeches
caught some unneeded attention,†Kira said to Raf. “How wanted are you on this
planet right
now?â€
David answered for the pilot. “The Commander will arrest him on sight.
Actually, since
he thinks Tygran’s your lover, he may kill him on sight.â€
His voice drew her gaze to him, but his last statement made her frown. She
opened her
mouth to ask what he’d meant, then closed it again. She’d have time for that
later. “Okay, Raf. I
don’t know where you are or what happened to you last night. And you didn’t
stay in my home.â€
She was already moving toward the door leading to the lifts. “Grainne, is he
wearing a detector?â€
The red haired girl at the computer block did a quick scan, then indicated
that Ennoren
was clean. Xep, Kira called to the Shifter.
Problems?
Meet me at lift four now. I need your help.
Almost there now, Kira.
Kira was stepping through the sliding door toward the lifts when a hand
dropped on her
shoulder. She turned, looking up into David’s dark eyes. And saw a concern
that bordered on
fear. “If Ennoren knows about Raf, he may also know I was with you last night.
Don’t let him
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think I stayed in your house either, Kira,†he warned in an undertone, for her
ears only. “And
don’t let him suspect that you’ve taken me into your bed.†When she frowned,
he growled, “This
is for my benefit as well as yours.â€
The request confused her, but she didn’t have time to think about it then.
“Fine,†she
snapped and headed to the lift that would take her closest to the front door
of the mansion. Xep
arrived just as the doors opened, following her into the lift without a word.
When she stepped out into the white stone and glass entryway of the mansion
she’d
grown up in, she was alone, wearing a full-length, black silk robe. The lift
doors closed and were
hidden by a hologram that blended with the surrounding stone walls. She shook
her hair until it
felt sufficiently tousled, then approached the door.
Her spine tingled, uncomfortably aware that David was watching this scene
from the
command room with the others. With a deep breath, she opened the sprawling
dark wooden
doors. Ennoren stood only inches from the door, putting him right in her face
the second the
barrier was taken away. He slowly took in her robe and her dry but mussed
hair. There was a
mixture of angry suspicion and desire in his blue eyes that Kira didn’t like.
“State your business, Eain,†she challenged without offering to let him in
the house.
His mouth tightened. “This will take a few minutes, and I doubt you want your
neighbors
to see you in such a state in the middle of the afternoon.â€
“I don’t particularly care.†She shrugged. “But come in, anyway.†She stepped
aside,
leaning against the door as he walked into the house. She shut the doors and
without a word
sauntered toward a sitting room at the far end of the hall, leaving Ennoren to
follow.
The room she took him to was one he had always hated. It was filled with
Navajo rugs
and pottery, the colors all cream, rust and turquoise. A number of pillows and
a low, cushioned
couch surrounded an open fire pit in the middle of the room. Other than the
pillows and couch,
the room was bare of furniture. Ennoren hated to sit that close to the ground,
saying again and
again that men were not designed to sit on the floor.
That memory made her cocky smile authentic as she sunk easily to one of the
pillows.
“Have a seat,†she offered, mocking him with her outstretched hand. Glowering,
he perched on
the soft arm of the couch, putting most of his weight on his legs to keep from
collapsing the
cushions. “Now, what’s all this about, Eain? I thought I told you never to
come here again.â€
“This is about the law, Kira. The same law which I am fully aware you’ve been
breaking
for...what, four, four and half years now.â€
“Really? And what specific law is that? The one that says I must see my
ex-husband on a
regular basis?â€
“This isn’t about us,†he snapped. “It’s about the pilot, Tygran.â€
“He’s a pilot! How exciting.â€
“Kira,†Ennoren’s voice dropped to a low growl, “you were seen at the Docks
with this
man. He’s wanted by the law on at least seven planets. If you’re harboring a
fugitive, you’ll get
ten to life in a hole.â€
“Harboring a fugitive, hmm? Sounds very noble of me, don’t you think?†She
shifted,
pulling the robe tighter over her legs when it began to fall open, and folded
her hands in her lap,
ignoring Eain’s glance at her briefly exposed legs. “Too bad I’ve never done
anything that
noble.â€
“This wouldn’t be noble. He’s a thief, a smuggler and a murderer.â€
“Afraid for my life, Eain? That’s not at all like you.â€
He shot from his tentative perch and began pacing the room. “So smug,†he
hissed
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beneath his breath. “So damned sure you’re right, and your money will buy you
anything you
want. You think you’re above the law?†He whirled on her. “If I find Tygran
here, Kira, he’s a
dead man. And I won’t stop the law from falling on you, either.â€
She sighed and stood. “I would expect nothing less.â€
He straightened, snapping down the edges of his uniform jacket. “You play
innocent so
well. Always did. Such a sweet face, such pretty eyes. A man would never guess
the deception
that hides behind those eyes.â€
“Eain...â€
Before she could finish, Ennoren took two long strides and griped the lapels
of her robe,
pulling her flush to his body. “Does your lover pilot know how well you lie,
bitch? Or can you
deceive even another liar? A man doesn’t stand a chance with you. I never
did.â€
“Get your hands off me,†she said, her voice even, calm and dangerous.
He loosened one hand only to grip the back of her neck roughly. “Were you
ever as
innocent as you look? Were you ever innocent at all?†he demanded in a
gravel-rough voice.
“Yes,†she said sadly, meeting his angry, hungry gaze. “I was innocent once.
A very long
time ago.â€
As abruptly as he’d grabbed her, he let her go and Kira stumbled backward
with the
sudden release of tension. He stalked to the door, his spine stiff beneath the
crisp lines of his
uniform. “This isn’t over, Kira. I’ll be back for Tygran. If he’s had a taste
of you, he won’t be far
off.†He stopped just at the entry to the sitting room and turned to face her
again. “By the way,
one of my Guards has turned up missing. David Cario. You met him the other day
at the
blockade.â€
She nodded.
“Seems he was seen in the Docks last night, also. I’d hate to think one of my
men got
himself mixed up in something unlawful. Or even got himself killed.†He turned
away again,
calling over his shoulder as he walked to the front door, “For a pretty face.â€
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CHAPTER 7
Kira took a series of long, slow breaths before heading back to the lift. She
shed the robe
on the way down, dressing again in her leggings and tunic while Xep shifted
back to its natural
form. Did he hurt you? she asked, concentrating on a button at the collar of
her tunic so she
wouldn’t have to look into the Shifter’s whirling eyes.
No. But he hurt you?
No. He can’t hurt me any more, Xep. She straightened but stared at the lift
doors, still not
looking into Xep’s steady gaze.
He has made this personal. More so now than ever before.
He’s getting desperate. He can’t control me, and he can’t catch me. I’ve
eluded him and
his law for too long. It’s making him angry. That’s all.
He thinks David is with you now.
Yes. But since he probably sent him in the first place, that’s not really
surprising.
He mentioned that David might have been killed. Do you think he believes
that?
Kira took a moment to consider the Shifter’s question. Maybe. That might
explain why he
came today. If he thought his “spy†had died before completing the mission...
She paused, then
thought, Or he was just trying to safeguard David’s position here by making it
seem as if he
wasn’t sent as a plant. She groaned and rubbed her temples as the lift doors
opened. I don’t
know, Xep. I just don’t know. It’s all getting too complicated, and I can’t
seem to work it out any
more. A rush of exhaustion stormed through Kira so that she had to force
herself to walk out of
the lift.
Xep rested a golden hand on her shoulder as they exited the lift. I know this
is hard on
you, Kira. But you’ve done well. And it’s almost over now.
Kira nodded, finally looking into the swirls of purple, blue and green that
were the
Shifter’s eyes. The time is even closer now, Xep, she warned. We can’t afford
any delay. As soon
as Pat has the clearance codes, we’re on the ship. She turned back toward
Command, the instant
flash of exhaustion pushed aside. Make sure all of the Shifters are ready for
a sudden departure,
Xep. Because we won’t be able to come back.
Command was buzzing with chatter and active people. Everything fell silent
when she
stepped to the center of the room. “All right, everyone, you heard the man.
He’s coming back,
which means we’ve got next to no time left. Pat, the clearance codes are your
top priority - the
second you’ve got a working set, we’re on the ship. I don’t care what you have
to do, but get
them a-sap.†She turned until she saw Tygran. “Raf, get in touch with your
co-pilot and crew.
They need to be ready to move at any point within the next two or three days
at the most. Any
sign that the law or the Leeches have discovered where the ship is?â€
“No sign of either,†he confirmed in a businesslike tone that she could only
admire.
“Good. Let’s hope it stays that way. The rest of you, make sure all your
affairs are taken
care of. You’ve got one last chance to back out. This is a one-way trip. I
know you’ve all thought
about it, but think hard one last time. Anyone who wants to stay behind has to
leave tonight.
We’ll arrange the identity changes with the new Command.†Kira looked at each
of the
faces in the room, Shifter and Human alike. All were faces she’d known for
four and half years,
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 40
some even longer. Faces of those she’d fought with, and would give her life
for. Faces that she
looked on as members of her family.
She was both proud and sad to see the determination in the human faces, their
willingness
to give up the planet they’d called home all their lives. Each of the Shifters
in the room sent her
an unconditional “feel†of certainty also - using that form of direct
communication that needed
no words to translate. The feeling broke her heart.
“Everyone back to work, then,†she ordered, trying to hide the
emotion-roughened
quality of her voice. “I want to have this place prepared to be shut down, and
everything we need
ready to load by tomorrow morning.†As the buzz of activity began, Kira
searched out her
second and pulled her aside. “Where’s David?â€
Jo nodded to a side door that led off to the fan rooms - rooms where smoking
was
allowed within the complex. “He didn’t look very happy when he left,†Jo said,
violet eyes
narrowed, full mouth pursed. “He seemed to find the conversation you and
Ennoren
had...upsetting. I couldn’t say for sure, Kira, but it looked a lot like
jealousy to me.â€
“Don’t be stupid, Jo,†Kira snapped, then breathed out her temper. “Sorry.
That little
scene with Eain left me a bit raw.â€
“Understandable.†Jo patted her shoulder.
“It doesn’t matter. I need to talk to David. Will you make sure Raf can get
in touch with
his crew? And make sure he has all the supplies he needs.â€
Jo nodded and a familiar gleam lit her eyes. Kira lifted a brow, then shook
her head. “Just
don’t distract him for too long, Jo,†Kira warned. “We all need to be ready.â€
“Me?†Jo was about as good at innocent as she was at cooking, and Jo was a
very bad
cook. Kira chuckled and nodded her second away.
She stood staring at the door that led to David, trying to settle herself for
another
confrontation. The fights and accusations were wearing on her. The exhaustion
that had swept
her in the lift sat heavily on her shoulders again. And dread mixed with a
tingling of anticipation
at seeing the Guard. Just the thought of his kiss made her lips burn. Knowing
she’d remember
the feel of his touch all to vividly in his presence, Kira wasn’t sure she’d
be able to manage this
meeting. But it had to be done.
Pushing her straight hair behind her ears, she left Command and walked to the
fan rooms.
Raf stopped her in the corridor just outside the air sealed entrance to the
rooms. “Kira,†he
began, then fell silent and stared at the floor for a few minutes, his brow
deeply creased with
unspoken thoughts. After a time, his brow softened and he grinned. “You’re
something else,
Farseaker. And for what it’s worth, I think liars are the best kinds of
people.â€
A laugh burst from Kira so suddenly it surprised her and made her laugh
harder. “Glad to
know it, Raf,†she said when she could talk again. “Thanks.†She tapped his
arm gently. “Now,
get off your ass and make sure you’re ready to pilot us off this rock.â€
He smiled, winked at her and squeezed her shoulder before walking away. Kira
shook her
head, baffled by the scene but thankful for the release of tension. When she
stepped through the
air seal into the smoking rooms, she was grinning.
David leaned against a wall, taking a deep drag on his cigarette. He’d seen
Kira and Raf’s
brief exchange - the air seal was transparent - but he hadn’t been able to
hear them. It didn’t
matter. Seeing was enough to make his blood boil. Her grin didn’t help his
state of mind any.
He took another deep pull on the cigarette, waiting for her to notice him.
When she did,
her step faltered. She slowed, walking toward him with wary eyes. “I think
there are a few things
you’d better explain to me,†she said in a hard voice that made him bristle.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 41
“I was going to say the same thing.†He puffed at the cigarette again. The
glowing tip
was almost to his fingers. He dropped it to the floor, smashing it beneath his
boot heel and lit
another.
“Me first,†Kira said, ignoring his glare. “What was all this about Ennoren
killing Raf if
he thought he was my lover?â€
“A fact,†David answered with a shrug. “The Commander would kill him for the
simple
fact that he was having an affair with you.â€
Her brow creased. “I doubt that. He might kill Raf, but not because I was
having an affair
with him.†She stopped, her gaze unfocused and turned inward, then quietly
said, “Unless he
thought it would hurt me. Then he might kill him.â€
“Would it?â€
“What?†She snapped her gaze back to his face, and David felt the strength of
her golden
eyes in his every cell.
“Would it hurt you if Raf were killed?â€
She dismissed the comment with a wave of her hand. “It always hurts me when
someone
I know gets killed.â€
“But would Tygran’s death hurt you especially?â€
She puffed out an impatient breath and paced away. David could see the
conversation
wasn’t going the way she wanted it to. He didn’t care. He needed these
answers.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, David,†she said. “And it
doesn’t matter
anyway. I want to know why you didn’t want Ennoren to think you were here last
night. You tell
me I’m keeping you a prisoner...â€
“You are.â€
“But you warn me before I go to talk with your Commander,†she continued over
his
interruption, “so that I’ll make a specific effort not to mention you.†She
stopped and turned to
face him. “Why? I could have slipped. I could have given away that I knew
where you were.
He’d have a warrant to search the mansion within minutes if he thought I was
keeping you here.
Why would you give me a warning you must have known would have put me on guard
against
hinting at your presence here?â€
“Why would I want him to know I’m here?†David countered, throwing his
half-finished
cigarette to the ground and stalking closer to her. “You said you would
release me within the
week. Why would I want him, of all people, to find me here when I know he’d
kill me on sight?â€
The statement made her gasp. “What...?â€
“I told you already, Kira,†David hissed as he stopped right in her face, “I
didn’t want
him to think you’ve slept with me. He’d kill me for that as easily as he’d
kill Raf for it.â€
“First, why would he assume I’d sleep with you just because you were here?â€
“After our meeting at the blockade, he has every reason to suspect that you
wanted more
from me than conversation.â€
“Oh! You arrogant son of a bitch,†she nearly shouted in indignation.
David grabbed her chin, none too gently, and lifted her face. “Don’t dare
deny your
attraction to me, Kira. I feel it as well as you do. There were two of us
involved in that kiss in the
canteen.â€
She jerked her head away and stalked off. “You’re as delusional as Ennoren.â€
She
stopped abruptly and David, following close behind her, almost knocked her
over. He grabbed
her shoulders to balance her, but as soon as she had steadied herself, she
jerked away from his
touch.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 42
“None of this has anything to do with anything,†she hissed. “Whether I’m
attracted to
you or not, whether Raf is my lover or not, has nothing to do with anything. I
have less than
three days now, and I don’t have time for this pettiness. You don’t want
Ennoren to find you
here? Fine! He won’t. I’ve got...â€
David grabbed her shoulders again and jerked her close. “Is he?â€
“What?†she demanded.
“Is Raf Tygran your lover, Kira?â€
Her mouth dropped open. “I can’t believe you’re still...†She expelled a
disbelieving
breath, shook her head and pushed away from him.
She started to walk off again, but David kept pace with her easily. “Answer
the question,
Kira,†he demanded.
“It’s none of your goddamned business!â€
His arm dropped like a bolt against the steel-plated wall beside her,
stopping her retreat.
She turned outraged eyes on him, the golden depths rolling like lava. Her
breath came in deep,
angry jerks that made her chest rise and fall sharply. David felt his blood
reaching critical heat.
“I’m making it my goddamned business,†he answered, his voice low and rough.
“Are you
having an affair with Tygran?â€
She dropped her gaze and pushed against the arm that blocked her retreat. “I
don’t have
time for affairs,†she mumbled. “With anyone.â€
He gripped the back of her neck, barely maintaining his control against the
storming heat
of desire riding through him. Forcing her head around, he tilted her face up,
bringing her lips
only a breath away from his. “Make time,†he whispered hoarsely, then covered
her mouth with
a hard, desperate kiss.
She stiffened under his assault. Her hands came up to his chest, and David
knew she
would push him away despite the increased pressure he reflexively put on the
back of her neck.
But even if she pushed, he didn’t think he could let her go.
Then she melted.
The utter cessation of resistance staggered him. The hands she pressed
against his chest
convulsed into fists in his shirt, and she pressed against him. He pulled her
closer with one arm
wrapped around her waist, the other dropping from her neck to her upper back.
The eager
sweetness of her kiss tumbled through him, bringing his already needy body to
full, hard
readiness.
He dropped his hand from her shoulders to her bottom, squeezing hard. She
moaned low
in her throat, and David pushed her hips firmly against his throbbing
erection. God, she tasted
good! He moved her back against the wall, pressing her against it, freeing his
hands to cover her
breasts. She dropped her head back as far as the wall would allow and arched
her back when he
squeezed roughly at the soft, tender mounds.
The groan she released as his mouth worked fluidly down the column of her
throat made
his grip tighten, and her fingers dug into his shoulders in response. He
pushed aside the edge of
her vest and settled his lips against the straining peak of one breast through
the material of her
tunic. He sucked gently at first, flicking the tip teasingly with his tongue.
The helpless moans of
pleasure falling from her parted lips nearly drove him mad. His lips grew more
persistent, pulling
and nipping until she began to shake.
He moved hungrily back to her mouth, devouring her with hot and urgent
kisses.
“David.†His name sighed out of her, and he swallowed the passion and need in
her voice.
“God, Kira, I want you.†He raked her neck with his mouth again before moving
to
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 43
torment the soft flesh of her ear. “Now.†He knew he was losing control, knew
that he would
take her in the corridor against the wall if he didn’t get them to a room
soon.
He didn’t notice the push of her hands on his chest until her voice broke
through the haze
of his desire. “David, stop.†He pulled back enough to look into her face, but
he didn’t release
her. Her face was flushed, her hair a sexy mess, her breathing rapid and
shallow. “I can’t do
this.†She pushed harder against him until he took a step back and dropped his
arms to his side.
His eyes narrowed. “You were doing this just fine a moment ago.â€
Her cheeks flushed deeper. “I can’t...I don’t have the time,†she mumbled and
before he
could stop her, she moved beyond his reach. “I’m sorry, David,†she whispered,
golden eyes
wide. She walked away, her back stiff, her gate slow but determined.
He could catch her. He could reach her in a few strides and take her back
into his arms
again, make her forget time, her mission, Raf Tygran, even Ennoren. But he
didn’t. He stood and
watched her walk away, working to steady his own breathing, to relax his
tensed muscles.
She might have just saved them both from a terrible mistake. But he wasn’t
happy about
being saved.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 44
CHAPTER 8
Kira closed the sliding door to her bedroom in the compound, then sank back
against it.
She’d taken to sleeping down in the compound instead of in her bedroom in the
mansion as soon
as the complex had been livable. There were too many memories up in the house.
Memories that
came back to haunt her now.
She ran her hands through her hair and stared up at the ceiling, her heart
still pounding
with the desire David had so quickly sparked. God, but she wanted him. She
couldn’t remember
a man ever doing this to her, confusing her and turning her on at the same
time. Ennoren had
never turned her to a quivering, boneless heap with only a kiss.
Except that was more than a kiss, she thought ruefully. She’d very nearly let
David take
her in the blasted corridor! With a groan, she pushed away from the wall’s
support and walked to
her bed, sprawling face-first on the soft mattress. David was supposed to be
the enemy, she told
her errant mind. He was almost certainly Ennoren’s spy. He already knew more
about the
complex, about her, than was safe. He was supposed to be her prisoner, for
Christ’s sake.
She rolled onto her back, pressed the palms of her hands into her aching
eyes. What am I
doing? I’m supposed to be a leader. I’m supposed to be getting the Shifters
off this planet before
they’re completely destroyed. I don’t have time for affairs.
She hadn’t had time for much of anything in the last five years. Not since
the detector
plant had been bombed. No, she corrected, time had become her enemy almost a
year before that,
just after her parents were killed. The thought of her parents - a father who
had raised her for
several years all by himself after her birth mother’s death, a stepmother who
had loved her as if
she’d given birth to her - brought a tear to Kira’s eye.
She’d clung to Eain for months after they had been killed. They’d been caught
in the
wrong place at the wrong time, according to the official report - walked into
the middle of a
protest against the exterminations just as a riot broke out. The Guard claimed
the riot was started
by the protestors. For months, Kira had found no reason to disbelieve the
official reports.
Until she’d found the private log her father had left her. A log that
documented his and
his wife’s fight against the exterminations, both publicly and privately. God,
she’d been naïve.
She’d never even guessed. She knew they’d spoken out publicly against the
exterminations, but
she’d never suspected the extent to which they’d struggled.
Their deaths weren’t an accident, either.
She’d never had proof, of course. Only the warnings in her father’s log, the
suspicions.
The distrust toward Ennoren. And the fear for her. Her father had gone to
great lengths just
before he was killed to make sure that no matter what, Ennoren couldn’t get
his hands on the
Farseaker family fortune; to make sure that Kira would have that safety net
always. She could
only marvel at her father’s foresight, and be grateful for it.
She lifted the pocket-comm from her vest pocket and flicked a switch.
“Gregor, Op. 3,
level 5.†A quiet, powerful song began to play, the opening full of percussion
and the deep
accompaniment of an oboe.
She toyed with the idea of requesting food, then changed her mind. The others
had better
things to do than cater to her. She had better things to do also, but she
couldn’t face anyone just
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 45
yet. Her body was still tingling and restless. She could make a new journal
entry; she hadn’t had
much time for her journal over the last few months. But what would she say?
That she was
confused and exhausted? She doubted the journal would help her solve her
problems. She was
tempted to go up to the mansion, to hide in her father’s study. But that
wouldn’t solve any of her
problems, either.
The most pressing problem was the clearance code to get off-planet. Pat said
that
Ennoren had updated the approval and verification procedures. Did Ennoren know
they would
try to get off-planet? Did he know time was running out for both of them? Her
temples throbbed
to the beat of the horn solo that built the tempo of the music. Never enough
time, she thought
wistfully. Not enough time with my parents. Not enough time for the Shifters.
Not enough time
for friends.
And not enough time for lovers.
But there would be time, she told herself firmly, after they escaped
Ennoren’s watchful
eye. After they reached Kierna’Rhoan, she’d have all the time in the universe
for friends and
family and lovers. Except the man she wanted - more than any other man -
wouldn’t be coming
with them.
She pushed the thought aside, forced her mind away from David and his intense
passion,
away from the melancholy memories of her parents, and away from her broodings
over what
Ennoren knew and what he didn’t. With a curt word, she ordered the music off
and stood. She
straightened her vest, went to the pull-down sink and splashed cold water on
her face, dried it
and ran her fingers through her hair.
She looked for a moment in the mirror above the sink, barely recognizing the
woman that
looked back at her. Hard amber eyes with faint circles beneath them, mouth
tense and frowning.
Nothing like the young girl Ennoren had seduced into marriage, the girl whose
innocence he had
shattered. She looked hard now, unrelenting, determined, and much too
worldwise. “But then,
we can’t stay innocent forever,†she told her reflection. “Innocents don’t
know that there are bad
things that have to be stopped.â€
And, she thought as she flicked on her pocket-comm and requested Pat, she had
several
bad things to stop.
David wandered the fan rooms, working his way at a steady rate through the
pack of
cigarettes he’d been given. It wasn’t until he was on his last one that he
noticed what he was
doing. He stared at the unlit stick for a long time, brooding silently over
this unfortunate
circumstance. He was about to light it anyway, when a shape stepped through a
nearby air seal.
This was the first person he’d seen in the last hour. He scowled, hoping
whoever it was
would find themselves someplace else to be. He wasn’t that lucky. The man
walked toward him
without hesitancy. He was a thin man, of average height and build, with
gold-blond hair and dark
blue eyes. His face was soft, almost feminine but for the squaring of jaw and
the faint stubble on
his chin.
“I think we should talk, David Cario,†the man said in a strange, whispery
voice that left
David feeling mildly uncomfortable.
“Do I know you?â€
The man smiled. “You can call me Xep, if you like. And no, we haven’t been
formally
introduced.â€
“Listen, Xep,†David said, lighting his cigarette, “I’m not really in the
mood for an
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 46
interrogation right now, okay?â€
Xep glanced at the glowing tip of the cigarette, at the smoke curling up from
its end. His
soft features furrowed in a frown. “I’m not fond of cigarette smoke,†he said
when he noticed
David’s questioning stare. “But no matter. I need to speak with you, so I’ll
deal with it. Shall we
have a seat?†He nodded to a side room and a row of couches.
David inclined his head but let the man lead the way into the room. When Xep
sat, David
continued to stand, legs braced apart, arms crossed over his chest, defiantly
puffing at the
cigarette.
Xep shrugged and said, “I would like to discuss Kira with you.â€
“Why?†David shot out before he could stop himself.
The slight raising of Xep’s gold eyebrows made David snarl inwardly at his
own loss of
control where that woman was concerned.
“Kira would like nothing better than to trust you,†Xep said, sitting too
straight in the
deep couch. “She sees something in you that seems to surpass your position
with Ennoren’s
Guard.â€
“Does she? Did she tell you that?â€
Xep smiled. “She doesn’t have to. I’m not even sure she knows it consciously.
I’ve
known Kira for many years now. She’s a remarkable woman. Strong and vulnerable
and caring.
She’s done a lot for the Shifters - more than she should have.â€
“You sound like you don’t like Shifters.â€
The man’s smile widened. “I can’t help but like them,†he said. “But that’s
not what I’m
here to discuss. I’m here because of Kira. And you.â€
“What about me? You don’t know me.â€
“I know more of you than you might think. I know of your passion for Kira. I
also know
that you’re lying to her. And I know that you’re lying to Commander Ennoren.â€
David dropped his arms to his side, stunned. The cigarette in his mouth hung
perilously
from his lips, but he barely noticed. “What are you talking about?â€
“I knew your sister, David Cario.â€
The blow was more than David could take standing up. He landed heavily on one
of the
couches and stared at Xep. His cigarette fell to the metal floor and remained
there, unnoticed.
“Who are you?†David breathed. “How did you know her?â€
“Tina Cario was one of those remarkable humans whom I’ve had the privilege to
meet in
my lifetime. She was passionate also, like you. Like Kira. She was a good
person.â€
“Who are you?†David repeated.
And as he watched, the man before him melted and folded and changed until a
golden,
bright-eyed Shifter sat in his place. In the next instant, the man was back, a
slight smile on his
mouth. “You are not telepathic like your sister was,†Xep told him easily,
ignoring David’s wide-
eyed stare, “so this form is necessary for communication.â€
“Telepathic?†David whispered vaguely. The conversation he’d been having and
the
change he just witnessed refuted everything the government said about
Shifters. It also seemed to
confirm a lot of what his sister had told him six years ago.
“In our natural state, that is the only way we can communicate with humans.
Even then, it
was some time before we could master your word-based language. The concept was
not
altogether unfamiliar to us,†Xep assured him with an earnest gaze. “It’s just
been many, many
generations since we found it necessary to communicate using words as
representations of
complex thought and emotion.â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 47
“You’re not supposed to be able to communicate,†David told the man-thing
before him.
“Mimic, yes; think and speak on your own, no.â€
Xep smiled sadly. “I thought that, between Kira and Tina, you would no longer
believe
that falsified study.†He sighed. “Well, perhaps we can change your mind yet.
Tina once told me
that you were too stubborn for your own good.†The creature settled back into
the couch, deep
blue eyes steady on David’s face. “You have questions for me, I see.â€
“Was she one of them?†David burst out before he could talk himself out of
asking. “Was
Tina one of the ones responsible for the bombing?â€
Xep tilted his head, his blue eyes blinked. “Can’t you guess the answer? She
was your
sister, a good woman. Don’t you know her well enough to answer that question
yourself?â€
“She was convicted.†David’s gaze turned inward, his head reeling with
memories and
guilt. “They said there was evidence, but...But she was executed before I
could get to her, before
I could tell her...†His voice dropped off, choking on the years-old pain.
“Ennoren executed her,†Xep urged in his quiet voice.
“Yes.†David snarled. “He told me that the evidence was irrefutable.â€
“But you didn’t believe him. Still don’t?â€
“I...I didn’t at first.†David pulled his thoughts back together, tried to
regain his
composure and control. But he couldn’t look into Xep’s eyes when he said, “I
believe now.â€
“No, you don’t, David. Not entirely. But that is the lie you hope he
believes. Is that why
he allowed you into his company? Because he thought you’d accepted your
sister’s supposed
crimes? Or is it so that he can keep you under his watchful eye?â€
David stood and paced the room. “You’re a mind reader, Xep?†he asked
angrily. He’d
spent years developing and maintaining the facade of belief in the story
Ennoren had fed him.
Years earning his way into the man’s trust enough to be transferred to his
elite command. And in
moments, this man, this Shifter had toppled his control, broken his facade and
uncovered his lies.
“I can,†the Shifter said, “but I don’t. But your non-word thoughts - they’re
very hard for
you to control and too easy for us to read, especially when you’re upset. You
give yourselves
away very easily to us sometimes. It surprises me how often humans can fool
each other with
their word lies.†Xep shrugged. “It’s of no consequence. I won’t be giving you
away to
Commander Ennoren, now, will I?â€
The teasing smile that Xep gave him made David stop in his pacing to stare at
the Shifter.
The damned thing was right. David had been worried that he was uncovered, that
Ennoren would
know of his deceit now. But from who? A Shifter who would bring about his own
death sentence
if he approached the Commander?
The realization stole his nervous energy and he collapsed onto a couch again,
studying
the Shifter with a new appreciation. They weren’t supposed to be logical,
either, he thought
ruefully. So much for scientific research. “Okay,†he said with a deep breath.
“So you won’t give
me away to the Commander. What do you want from me? Why are you telling me all
of this?â€
Xep frowned and glanced at the black rug in the center of the room. “Therein
lies the
problem, David. What I want from you is a guarantee that you’re not going to
hurt Kira. But I
won’t ask that of you. Not yet. I also want to know that you’re the man I
think you are. But how
would you prove it?â€
Xep looked into his eyes again, and David felt as if he were being pulled
into a whirl of
colors, though the man’s eyes seemed to remain blue. “What I want from you,
David Cario,â€
Xep said very softly, “is for you to understand why Kira does what she does,
why it is vital that
Ennoren not be allowed to stop us. It is not my place to tell you everything,
but perhaps...â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 48
After a moment’s quiet thought while David continued to be sucked into the
Shifter’s
gaze, Xep said, “May I tell you a story, David?â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 49
CHAPTER 9
It was nearly midnight before Kira returned to her small bedroom. Her evening
had been
busy arranging supplies for Tygran’s ship, collecting the funds to pay the
smuggler, and
overseeing the breakdown of the complex. There was still a day’s worth of work
to do, but
everyone was exhausted. And Pat was still two days away from getting a working
clearance
code. At the earliest.
She stripped off her clothing and sank onto her bed with a groan of
exhaustion, but her
mind was working too fast to sleep. She was too wound up to shut off. They’d
seen nothing more
of Ennoren that day, but his threat to return loomed heavily over the complex.
It was very likely
that her home was being watched, but that didn’t affect the movements of the
people beneath.
There was no more on the newscasts about the missing Guard, one way or the
other. Apparently,
Ennoren had managed to quash that story’s momentum.
But the problem remained: what to do about David? Thoughts of his dark eyes,
firm
mouth, and rough touch made her stomach squirm and her legs jerk restlessly
against the
mattress. She felt her body readying for him without her permission. She’d
sent James to find
him and show him to a more comfortable room sometime that evening - she’d lost
track of the
time. Now she couldn’t help wondering where he was in the complex. The
compulsion to seek
him out was almost overpowering.
“Grrr.†She pushed herself out of bed. She wasn’t going to get any sleep this
way. And
she doubted very much if a cold shower would help. Instead, she decided to do
something she
hadn’t done in a very long time.
She pulled on a long, black robe - the very robe Xep had imitated earlier
that day - and,
out of habit, tucked her pocket-comm into the robe’s deep side pocket. Then
she left the room,
walking on bare feet down the corridor toward the lifts.
Her father’s study had been her sanctuary since she was a little girl. She’d
gone there
after her mother’s death, just before her father’s new marriage, on the first
morning before
starting at a new school, after her disastrous first date. Always this room
had been like a warm
hug, a soft voice, a comforting hand running down her hair.
She’d avoided the room for a long time now. Memories clung to the oak-paneled
walls
and deep blue carpets. Her father’s desk still held his old fashioned pen and
ink set, and a blotter
made of Earth cedar. But it wasn’t the memories of her father that had kept
her from his study. It
was the memory of running here, hiding here after the executions.
The trials had been a farce. The people, some of them little more than
children, convicted
of bombing the detector plant had all proclaimed their innocence. Another
group of militants, the
Golden Order, took credit for the bombing later, though no proof had emerged
to support their
claims. But by that time, it was already too late to save the sacrificed.
And it had been her husband who had callously, easily murdered those people
in a public
spectacle designed to horrify the masses and strengthen the Guard’s hold.
Those faces had
followed her into this room five years ago. And it was here that she’d made up
her mind to
divorce Ennoren, and to use her money toward something good - to help a new
friend she’d meet
a few months earlier.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 50
The study was still a safe place for her, but the faces of those murdered,
and the faces of
those lost since, came to her here sometimes. Not always. But often enough
that she made fewer
visits. When she pushed open the thick wooden doors that night, however, the
familiar and
comfortable room was free of specters. The faint scent of her father’s cologne
and wood smoke
filled her nostrils and warmed her heart.
She went to the computer board hidden behind an old tapestry depicting
another event in
the life of Nathanial Farseaker. She keyed in the replay, set it for
holographic emission, and sat
down in her father’s large leather chair to watch his image light the center
of the room, recording
the events of his days. She smiled when her stepmother interrupted the log
entry by sidling into
the picture and pinching him on the rear. The entry stopped there and started
again several hours
later.
Caught up in the comfortable cadence of her father’s voice, she didn’t hear
the door open.
“Kira?†The soft voice was familiar, but different.
“Xep?†She turned to see the Shifter in human form - male human this time,
though she
noted with a grin that it had added facial hair to make the male shape more
“masculine.â€
“Are you all right, Kira?†the man with Xep’s voice asked, coming a few steps
into the
room and studying her with deep blue eyes. The room was mostly dark, lit only
by the light of
the holographic picture playing out in the center of the room.
“I’m fine, Xep. Just too tired to sleep.†She smiled wanly. “What are you
doing up here?
And in human form?â€
Xep stepped back to the door and motioned someone from the corridor into the
room. “I
thought you two should talk,†the Shifter said, walking out of the room before
Kira could protest
the intrusion.
David stood in his black pants and turtleneck just inside the doorway,
staring at her with
hooded eyes, keeping his thoughts private. She rose, clenching the top of her
robe together. His
gaze flicked to the hologram, and Kira ordered it off with a sharp word.
“Lights,†she said, more
quietly this time, “dim.†She blinked as a low, yellow glow like candlelight
rose in the room.
“That’s the robe you had on earlier,†David murmured, his gaze sliding down
her body
and back to her face. “Do you keep it up here?â€
“That was Xep earlier,†she said, keeping a hand on the upper lapels of the
robe. “I didn’t
have time to go down and get my real robe, and I’d told Ennoren I was in the
bath.â€
He frowned then, walking farther into the room. “You let the Shifter cover
you? Without
anything else on?â€
The strange suspicion on his face made her relax a bit. A slight smile
replaced her scowl.
“Did you know,†she asked in a conversational tone, “that Shifters are totally
asexual? The
species isn’t divided into male and female.†She offered David a seat on a
couch near the room’s
single curtained window. She hesitated between sitting in her father’s chair
again or on the couch
with David, then gave in to the temptation to be closer to David.
“When they shift into human form, of course,†she continued, dropping onto
the opposite
end of the small couch, “they have to take either male or female forms, but
they are as likely to
shift to male as female. Some prefer male human shape or female human shape,
but it doesn’t
have anything to do with their own sexuality.â€
“You know a lot about the Shifters,†he said in his husky voice, a wry smile
replacing the
suspicion of moments ago. “A lot more than the scientists seem to.â€
“The scientists,†she sneered at the word, “never bothered to ask the
Shifters. Besides,
they were paid to report certain things, whether those things were true or
not.â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 51
He nodded and looked down at his hands where they rested on his thighs.
Against her
will, Kira followed his gaze. Then she wished she hadn’t. The urge to run her
hands up those
muscled thighs stole her breath. Her heart pounded, speeding with the desire
to touch him. She
jerked her gaze back to his face, but not in time to avoid being discovered.
David was watching
her face in a way that made her stomach jump and her cheeks warm. “Why did Xep
think we
should talk?†she asked, feigning a casual, authoritative demeanor. Her act
didn’t fool either of
them.
“He seemed to think that there were some things in my past that I should tell
you about.
And some things that you would want to tell me.†He didn’t move closer, but
Kira could almost
feel his touch as he studied her face, brazenly let his gaze wandered down the
front of her body
to the white patch of her legs exposed by the parted hem of the robe.
“What things?†Her breathing was unsteady, making her voice sound whispery
and
rough. She cleared her throat and asked again in what she hoped was a firmer
voice. “What
things in your past?â€
David’s gaze never left her face. “My sister, Tina. She was one of the people
convicted of
bombing the detector plant five years ago. One of the people your ex-husband,
and my boss,
executed.â€
Kira felt like she’d been kicked in the stomach. Her breath rushed out in a
painful gasp.
And all at once, her sanctuary was haunted again. She closed her eyes tight
against the images,
only vaguely aware that a tear slipped past one eyelid and down her cheek. She
jumped, startled
into opening her eyes, when she felt a hand on her cheek. She looked into the
depths of David’s
black eyes and her guilt at keeping him prisoner was irrationally doubled. “Oh
God, David, I’m
sorry,†she whispered. “I’m so sorry.â€
He ran the pad of his thumb over her cheekbone and shook his head. “No. I
didn’t tell
you that to make you feel bad, Kira. You weren’t responsible. Ennoren was. My
sister. And me.
But not you.â€
“They didn’t do it,†Kira rushed out, gripping the hand on her cheek, “none
of them.
They’d been working for a group...a group like this one, trying to hide and
save the Shifters from
extinction. They weren’t radicals. The group didn’t believe in violence -
especially killing
others.†The bomb had been set to go off at night when most people were out of
the building.
The timer misfired and the bomb had gone off in the middle of a work day,
killing hundreds.
“I know,†David said, soothing and gentle. “I’ve known for a long time now
that she
wasn’t guilty. But...There were always doubts, Kira. I’ve never had any proof
that she didn’t.
Only gut instinct and a few secondhand testimonies.â€
He moved back against the couch arm, took a deep breath and stared up at the
ceiling. “I
was working undercover in the Docks when the bombing happened.â€
“Undercover?â€
He glanced down at her, a mildly amused grin curving his mouth. “You honestly
think
the Guards would let the Docks go totally unchecked?â€
“No,†Kira shrugged, realizing how obvious that should have been, “I suppose
not. But
your records never...†She stopped short, realizing too late that she’d said
too much.
David breathed out what was almost a chuckle. “Checked my records?â€
She nodded, lifting her chin despite the heat rising in her cheeks.
“The records of all undercover operatives are...altered as a matter of
procedure. Just in
case.†His faint smile was wry. “I believe mine had me working vice before I
joined Ennoren’s
squad.†He paused, looking down at the space of couch between them.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 52
“It’s not an easy job,†he murmured, “undercover in the Docks. There’s a lot
of...information. A lot of temptations. They hand pick the people that are
sent in. I come from a
long line of Narava Guards, and before that, soldiers and police on Earth. And
I had a record for
being incorruptible.†He snorted at that label. The self-mocking in that
gesture made her flinch.
“You learn things in the Docks though, Kira. I knew what my sister was
involved in,
but...But she was my sister. I couldn’t turn her in. And I wasn’t working
under Ennoren’s
command at the time. It was his job, his squad, that handled the Shifters and
Shifter support
terrorist groups.â€
“It is your job now,†Kira said in a quiet, cautious voice. “You work for him
now.â€
He looked at her with hard, unreadable eyes. “I’ve reasons for that, too.â€
Kira tried to absorbed what he was telling her, but something seemed wrong,
unsaid. And
it was the still-unsaid that left her wary. He looked away from her, stared at
the tapestry on the
wall opposite the couch, and continued his story, ignoring her speculative
stare.
“My parents learned about Tina, also. They had both been Guards. But, like
me, they
couldn’t turn her over to Ennoren. They stop talking to her, though - disowned
her in a way I
couldn’t have. But then, I was never around. For as often as I actually talked
to Tina, I might as
well have been a stranger. When we did talk, we fought - mostly about the
Shifters.
“Word reached me in the Docks that the detector plant had been bombed. The
news was
barely spread before we heard about the convictions.†He stopped, swallowed
audibly. “By the
time I reached Capital, the executions had been carried out. So quick,†he
breathed. “Ennoren
showed me the proof.â€
“And you believed him?†Kira found herself whispering.
David looked back into her eyes, silent for what seemed a long time. Then,
very quietly,
he said, “Yes. And no.†He stood and walked to the tapestry, studying the
image of Nathanial
Farseaker, keeping his back to her. “My parents, they’ve never been the same.
They won’t talk
about her, say her name. They try to pretend she never existed. But the loss
is obvious. She was
only twenty-two.â€
Kira stood and walked as far as the desk. She didn’t know whether to comfort
or not,
whether he would reject her efforts or appreciate them. This man, a man who
worked for her ex-
husband, whom she had every reason to distrust, was telling her that he had as
much reason to
hate Ennoren as she did. Maybe more. But he’d been under Ennoren’s command for
three years
now. And the one thing she could say about her ex-husband was that he was very
careful about
the people he allowed to work in his squad.
With his back still to her, David said, “Xep tells me that the executions
were what caused
you to divorce him.â€
“They were the final brick in the wall that had grown between Eain and me.â€
She leaned
her hip against the desk, toyed with her father’s pen. “But there were other
things before that,
other reasons why I wouldn’t have been able to stay with him long.â€
“When did you meet Xep?â€
“A few months before the...before I filed for divorce. Why?â€
“He knew Tina. He said that you have the same kind of passion she did.â€
Kira set the pen down, frowning. “I didn’t when I first met Xep. I was, in a
lot of ways,
the perfect wife to Ennoren. Quiet, pliable, easily manipulated, easily cowed.
Some of that was
an act in the end. But after my parents were killed, I was so shattered, I
clung to Ennoren.â€
“Xep told me about your parents’ death. That they were killed during a riot
at a protest
against the exterminations.â€
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 53
“I thought I’d lost just about everything when that happened. Except my
husband. He was
still there, in a way. Eain became my world. And then Xep changed my world
forever.â€
David turned then, looked her in the eyes when he asked, “Are you in love
with Xep?â€
The question made her chuckle. “I love Xep as if I were part of the line -
one of Xep’s
relations. But that’s all. Like I said, the Shifters are asexual. Xep
understands human attraction
and sexual relationships, but only in an academic sense.â€
He nodded and looked at his feet. “He said the same thing.†He glanced up and
mumbled,
“Sorry. It’s just hard for me to imagine why you do all this.â€
“You mean, why Tina did all this?â€
“Yes. I still don’t fully understand, Kira. And that’s a problem for me. I
don’t understand
why she had to do what she did - to the point that it cost her her life. What
good is she to the
Shifters now?â€
“All we can do is follow what we believe is best, David. We take the risks.
It’s our right.â€
She stood away from the desk. “Why are you telling me all of this? What do you
think I can do
for you?â€
“I don’t know that you can do anything for me. When I found out you were
Ennoren’s
ex-wife, I was hoping you’d have the proof I needed to clear my sister’s
name.â€
“I don’t.â€
He nodded. “I know that now. You wouldn’t still be hiding from the law if you
had proof
against Ennoren.â€
“Then?â€
He closed the space between them in three slow steps, giving her time to
retreat. Time
she didn’t take advantage of. Circling one arm around her waist, he pulled her
against his chest
and, for a minute, simply held her there. “I want your trust,†he murmured. “I
want you to
believe that I won’t turn you over to him. That I’ll keep your secret even if
you let me leave.
That I have as much to lose as you do.â€
“I...I don’t trust that easily, David,†she breathed. Her entire being was
aware of him, the
hard muscles of his body pressed against her, the feel of his hand at the
small of her back, the
spicy scent of soap he’d used that evening, even the faint hint of cigarette
smoke that clung to his
clothes.
“Neither do I, Kira.â€
“Is that the only reason you’re here, David? Is that what you want me to
believe? That
you followed me to the Docks because you wanted my help with the circumstances
surrounding
your sister’s death?â€
“That is partly the reason I tracked you. But not the only reason. I couldn’t
stop thinking
about you after we met. I’ve needed to do this since that first afternoon.†He
lowered his mouth
to hers, paused, giving her the chance to stop him. When she didn’t, he kissed
her. His lips
worked slowly against hers at first, then he teased her lips apart with his
tongue and plunged into
her. His kiss was hard, deep and demanding.
And Kira returned that kiss with a heat she didn’t recognize in herself.
Overpowering
need washed over her, through her. The need to be close to David, the need to
feel his touch, to
comfort and give. And take. The need to lose control - just this once, just
for this instant. She
wrapped her arms around his neck and twisted her hands into his thick hair. He
pulled her closer,
tightening his grip almost painfully on her waist, and she reveled in that
show of strength and
possession.
They clung to each other, their kisses hard and dangerous, their hands
urgently exploring
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 54
lines and curves still hidden beneath their cloths. Beneath the onslaught,
Kira began to tremble.
“Kira,†David gasped her name, and she heard an echo of her own desperation in
his rough and
breathless voice. “Don’t pull back now, Kira,†he said gruffly against her
neck. “Give us
tonight.†He dropped hot, moist kisses along her neck, in the hollow of her
throat, at the base of
her jaw, just beneath her ear. Kira moaned, helpless and too desperate to pull
away now. She
needed him tonight, needed to feel this passion.
But not in her father’s study. “David,†she pushed against his shoulders. He
tightened his
grip and covered her mouth brutally, refusing to let her talk. She turned her
head and managed to
speak, though her voice was shaky. “David, not in here. I’ve a better place.â€
Her words, and the fact that they were not a refusal, brought his gaze to
hers. His already-
dark eyes were black in the dim lighting, glittering with a desire that
staggered her. With effort,
she loosened his grip, took one hand and led the way from the study.
She followed the well-remembered corridor, turned down a second hall, and
stepped
down the four steps that led to her own suite of rooms in the house. She had a
small library and
computer center in one room. A room full of memories - pictures, schoolwork
and degrees, toys
from childhood, all the things her father couldn’t bring himself to discard.
Another room was set
aside for painting and music - neither of which she’d much talent for, but her
passion for both
tended to transcend her lack of skill. Near the rear of her suite was a
dressing and cleaning room,
where her extensive wardrobe remained hermetically sealed to protect the
fabric of clothing she
no longer had use for.
And set in a corner of the house so that the three walls of windows gave a
panoramic
view of the estate and the nearby sea, was the bedroom Kira had abandoned many
years ago.
After she’d married Eain, she’d moved to his home, but this had been her bed
when she returned
for visits. She hadn’t spent the night here since the complex had been
completed, but the rooms
were kept clean and neat by the cleaning droids.
Sliding panels closed over the wall windows and skylight. A simple word
command
opened both, revealing the deep, crystalline beauty of the late night. Both
Narava’s moons hung
in the sky - Rupach just at the horizon, huge and yellow, and Lonrach
overhead, shining pearly
light into the heart of the room. At one corner of the room, a rock- and
plant-covered waterfall
tinkled quietly. From the small pond at the fall’s base, a thin stream
meandered off through the
room before disappearing beneath the stone floor. Thick rugs covered paths
through the room. In
the light, these rugs looked like blue-green grass, thick and soft. Her bed
frame was carved of the
same rock as her small waterfall, decorated with mythical images hidden within
real vines of ivy
and fragrant flowers.
She led David close to the bed before turning to see his face. He seemed
completely
unaware of the wealth surrounding him, the money it took to maintain, to build
a room such as
this on Narava. His dark eyes were focused entirely on her face, and the sheer
heat of that look
stole Kira’s breath.
“God, you’re beautiful, Kira,†he murmured. One trembling hand touched her
cheek.
“You glow in this light.†He cupped her cheek gently, and without breaking eye
contact, tugged
open the sash on her robe with his free hand. The silk parted, washing her
skin in moonlight and
the humid warmth of the room. She shrugged her shoulders, letting the robe
fall in a heap to the
floor. His gaze swept down her lean frame, then locked back on her face.
The hand he’d used to untie her sash had dropped back to his side. Kira
lifted his hand
and pressed his palm against the center of her chest, letting him feel her
hammering heartbeat.
She turned her face, kissing the palm of the hand still on her cheek, and slid
his other hand over
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 55
her heated skin to cover her breast. She looked back into his eyes, read the
hunger, and pulled his
face to hers until their lips were a whisper apart. “Make this last, David,â€
she murmured.
“Please.â€
He answered with a kiss that was so deeply passionate and so unbearably
tender that it
shook her to the center of her soul. “I’ll give you anything you want tonight,
Kira. Everything
you need.†He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in his heat and his
scent. The
tantalizing mix of spicy soap and tobacco that clung to his clothes and skin
filled her, teased her
beyond thought.
She needed to be closer, to feel all of him, to taste the salt on his skin.
She pulled his shirt
from his pants, tugged it over his head when he moved back enough to allow its
removal. Her
lips moved slowly over the tensed muscles of his chest and shoulders, her
tongue teasing and
tasting his flesh. His deep-throated groan made her stomach tighten with
feminine satisfaction.
He dug his hands into her hair, dropping his head back as her lips closed over
his nipple.
But he didn’t allow her to explore for long. Gently but insistently, he
pulled her lips back
to his. “This won’t last long if you do much more of that,†he murmured
harshly against her
mouth. She couldn’t prevent the smug smile that curved her lips and narrowed
her eyes. He
obliterated the smugness with his next devouring kiss. Before Kira realized
his hands had moved,
he wrapped his arms low around her waist and lifted her off her feet, backing
her to the bed.
“Lie back,†he urged as he set her on the edge of the bed. She obeyed without
a word. He
removed the rest of his clothing and crawled up next to her. Kira’s mouth
parted at the sight of
him. In the silvery glow of moonlight, he looked far more chiseled and lean
than she’d thought.
All muscle and sinew and lightly tanned flesh. Each movement radiated strength
tempered by
control. She decided in one giddy instant of irrational thought that Xep could
learn a lot about
“masculinity†from David. And then David was kissing her, and thought gave way
to hunger and
sensation.
He was true to his word, giving her everything she wanted, all she could take
and more,
until Kira felt as if she would split in half. With hands and mouth he pushed
her, toppled her over
the edge of climax twice. And then he took her farther.
She shuddered with reaction, certain she could take no more, when he entered
her at last.
Her body convulsed around him, and she groaned at the exquisite feel of him
inside her. He
tensed, remained still for a long moment, his breath ragged against her
throat. When she relaxed
a little, he began to move.
For the first time in many years, time ceased to have meaning for Kira. She
was lost in
the mind-blowing, body-rending pleasure that David gave her. She couldn’t form
words, only
whimpers, groans and cries of agonized ecstasy amid the torrent of sensations
assaulting her
flesh. When his rhythmic thrusts grew harder and faster, when his groans
turned wild, when his
body began to shudder and convulse inside her and around her, Kira cried out
in her final,
explosive release.
Her mind was slow to return to her surroundings. For long minutes, she swam
in a silent
world of bliss and exhaustion. Then the sound of the small waterfall
reasserted itself. With it
came the sound of David’s ragged breathing, the feel of him heavy and warm on
top of her, the
hammering of his heartbeat against her breast, the smell of flowers, musk,
sweat and sex, and the
subtle glow of moonlight. She took in all of this a piece at a time, unwilling
and unable to move,
concentrating on slowing her breathing.
When she could lift her heavy arms again, she wrapped them around David’s
neck and
pressed her cheek against his. He lifted his weight from her, gazing into her
glistening eyes with
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a look of wonder. Then he moved off her, and she shivered at the sudden loss
of warmth. He
kicked at the now-tousled blankets until he could cover both of them. She
rolled to her side to
see him levered up on one elbow, staring down at her.
She raised her eyebrows in question, not sure if her voice worked yet. He
answered the
unspoken question with a slight smile. “I could use a cigarette now.â€
Kira chuckled. “Sorry. I don’t smoke.â€
“I know,†he murmured, and gathered her into his arms.
Kira allowed herself to indulge in the feelings of contentment and security
his embrace
gave her. For as long as she could, she refused to think of consequences, or
time, or the control
she’d given over to David so eagerly. But the real world wouldn’t let her
forget it for long.
She shifted in his arms, lifting her face to catch and hold his dark gaze.
“This doesn’t
change anything, David,†she murmured. His eyes hardened at those words, his
jaw clenched.
Before he could talk, she rushed on. “Please understand. I would like nothing
better than to give
you the trust you ask for. But I can’t. I can’t allow myself to trust you
simply because you’ve
asked me to. Too many lives are in my hands. This isn’t just about us.â€
He sucked in a deep breath and looked away from her, past her shoulder to the
glass wall
beyond. His lips pursed, making the silvery scar on his jaw jump. He pulled
one arm away from
her, resting it on his waist, and the arm beneath her neck relaxed against the
bed. Kira squeezed
her eyes shut, knowing she’d shattered the precious moment. She regretted it,
but it was
necessary. He deserved her honesty in this one thing, at least.
With her eyes averted, she rolled away from him, curling in on herself. She
kept her eyes
firmly closed and waited for the inevitable rise of the mattress when he stood
to leave. Instead,
his arm dropped around her waist and pulled her roughly back against his
chest. “Do you think
I’d make it that easy for you, Kira?†he grated into her ear. “Do you think
I’d allow you to shut
me out like this, as if what just happened meant nothing?â€
He forced her over onto her back, grabbed her chin to keep her from turning
her face
from his burning black eyes. “Look at me, Kira,†he ordered. “I have no
intention of letting you
off that easily. In fact, I’m going to make getting me out of your life the
hardest thing you’ve
ever tried to do. I’ll have your trust, Kira. And I’ve got all the time in the
universe to earn it.â€
He kissed her hard before she could protest. Kira didn’t try to argue,
couldn’t bring
herself to tell him how little time was left for them. She took his face in
her hands and gave in to
the demands of his kiss, grateful that he wouldn’t see the few tears that
slipped from her closed
eyes, over her temples and into her hair.
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CHAPTER 10
Kira sat up in bed when the annoying noise in her dream turned itself into
the sound of
her pocket-comm. She lurched to the side of the bed and scrambled through her
robe, extracting
the comm with a hissed curse. “Kira here,†she huffed into the comm, blinking
her eyes against
the bright glare of sunlight.
“Kira! Damn it, where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you
for the last
five minutes!â€
“Cool off, Jo,†Kira grumbled, then realized that the sunlight flooding her
room was too
bright to be morning light. “What time is it anyway?â€
“Almost midday,†Jo said, her tone barely veering away from recrimination.
“What?!†Kira rolled out of bed and stood. “Why didn’t anyone wake me?â€
“Xep thought you could use the sleep,†Jo answered in a more contrite murmur.
“Sorry,
but I figured Xep knew the score on this one.â€
“Yeah. I’ll have to remember to thank Xep.†She wasn’t sure whether she meant
that
sarcastically or not.
“Kira, I didn’t call you just to get your ass out of bed. We need you in
Command a-sap.
Something’s happened.â€
“What...?â€
“Just get here.†Jo dropped her voice. “It’s bad.â€
“There in ten. Kira out.†She flicked her robe up from the floor and shrugged
it on. When
she looked back at the bed, David was awake and watching her.
“Serious news, I take it?†His deep, quiet voice made her shiver, memories of
the night
before prodding her with every move of her pleasantly sore muscles.
“Yes.†She wiped all emotion from her voice, if not her mind, and said, “I’m
needed in
Command.â€
“I’ll get dressed.†He climbed out of bed. The sight of his firm body in the
midday sun
inflamed her desire. Her mouth dried and her pulse pounded loud in her ears.
“I’ll be right back,†she mumbled and escaped to her dressing room before her
body
could work itself to full arousal.
A short command broke the hermetic seal over the wardrobe, allowing Kira to
fumble
through clothing she’d had no use for in years. When she’d first sealed this
closet, fashion had
dictated garish, big and dramatic costumes. But feathers, sequins and metallic
fabrics weren’t
exactly good for inspiring faith in her leadership abilities. Digging deep
into the den of clothes,
she found a multi-purpose forest-green body suit.
“Perfect in a pinch,†she mumbled, unearthing a black utility belt and a
comfortable pair
of black boots. The underwear she’d left behind consisted of lace and silk
fabrics that were
generally as uncomfortable as they were pretty. But she managed to come up
with a reasonably
practical pair of silk briefs and a silk bra. Dressing took her less time than
rummaging around
had taken.
She walked back into her bedroom fastening the utility belt. She looked up
from the latch
to see David staring at her, his gaze taking in the skin-hugging jumpsuit. Her
pulse raced. Damn,
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but he was making it hard for her to concentrate on anything but getting him
back into bed.
“Ready?†she asked gruffly, turning her back on him.
She left the room without waiting for his response, but knew he followed. All
the way to
the nearest lift, she was uncomfortably aware of his gaze on her body and the
back of her head.
Self-consciously, she ran her fingers through her hair, working out the kinks
as the lift doors
opened for them.
They rode down in heavy silence. Kira spent the ride trying to ignore the
nagging warmth
of his body, so near hers, and his tantalizing scent. She kept her face
focused on the lift doors,
afraid that if she looked into his eyes, she would lose herself there. The
need to have him again,
to take and give and forget for another brief moment was like a drug she
craved more than food
and water. And she was terrified of that feeling. So she let the silence
stretch between them until
her ears rang with it.
The instant the doors opened, however, sound assaulted them. People rushed
back and
forth in the corridors, shouting information to each other in passing. Looks
of concern mingled
with determination on each face.
This time Kira’s pulse beat with the adrenaline of fear. She jerked her head
for David to
follow and hurried to Command, all thoughts of desire pushed aside. Jo was
standing over
Grainne’s shoulder at the computer block, talking in her ear as the redhead
worked. Before
moving to Jo, Kira searched the crowded room with a glance, spotted Sam and
signaled him to
her.
“Sam, make sure David gets something to eat.†She turned to the man in whose
arms
she’d spent the night and said, “I’ll see you when I can,†walking away before
he could protest
the dismissal.
“Jo?†Kira stopped at her shoulder, studying the rows of numbers and maps
Grainne was
pulling up on the computer screen. “What’s happened?â€
Jo’s violet eyes were narrowed, her brow creased. “Very early this morning we
intercepted a coded message. The code was easy enough to break for someone of
Pat’s skill, but
not the kind of thing the average hacker could have picked up. Anyway, the
message was from
Ennoren to the Lord High Senator at Avenmore, detailing the midnight capture
of a living
Shifter. He was requesting permission to move the Shifter to the SRC
for...study. He hinted that
there was something unusual about this particular Shifter.â€
Kira’s breathing came fast and hard as Jo relayed the contents of the
message. It couldn’t
be! He couldn’t have uncovered the new ones. Not now, not when they were so
close to getting
them off-planet. “Chrissake, Jo, why didn’t anyone wake me?â€
Jo exchanged a worried look with Grainne before answering. “Kira, Breeanne
was on
duty when the message came in and was decoded. Without...without clearing it
with me first, she
took a small band out to retrieve the Shifter before it could be moved from
General
Headquarters.â€
“She did what!?!†Kira was shaking with fear, worry and rage. She took a
long, slow
breath and nodded for Jo to continue.
“The message indicated that they would be moving the Shifter at first light.
She left a log,
saying she didn’t feel there was any time to waste. She took James, Paul and
Daq...â€
“Daq! Good God, what was she thinking? Going into GH after a possibly evolved
Shifter
with another evolved Shifter in tow? Where the hell was Pat through all this?â€
“Pat hacked into GH’s mainframe to get a location on the Shifter. While he
was in there,
he found the key he needed to get us a working clearance code. He didn’t
realize Breeanne
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intended to go without telling you until a few hours after she left.â€
“Shit,†Kira hissed. Then, because cussing helped to release the tension
clenching her
stomach, she let lose a string of colorful and heartfelt curses. “Is there any
word from her?†she
asked her second when she ran out of expletives.
Again Grainne and Jo exchanged a look, and Kira felt the curses bubble up in
her throat
again. “We’ve been trying to contact her for the last two hours, but with no
luck. About fifteen
minutes ago we intercepted a second transmission, this one coded to the
newscasters. It
announced the public execution of a small band of terrorists who tried to
subvert GH early this
morning. To take place at sunset.†Jo took a deep breath. “It also announced
the simultaneous
capture of a Shifter - a Shifter aiding the terrorists in their attack.†Jo’s
voice failed her, and she
looked away.
Kira, eyes wide, looked down at Grainne for confirmation. The redhead nodded,
then
quietly said, “Kira, they said they were sending Daq to Shifter Research
Center. If those
government scientist bastards get ahold of Daq, they’re gonna have proof of
the evolved
Shifters.â€
“What about the other one, the one that was captured last night?â€
“No word. It might very well have been a hoax. We don’t know yet.â€
Kira dropped a hand to the cold metal of the computer block, then punched it.
The sound
echoed in the large room and the churning noise around her fell silent. She
felt the gaze of
everyone in the room on her. For an instant, she wanted to cry and scream and
curl into a little
ball. She wanted to be ignorant and innocent again so that she didn’t have to
make these kinds of
decisions.
“Where the hell is Pat?†she grated, clenching her eyes shut.
Jo answered this time. “Working at the computer board in your office.â€
“Get him.†Kira stood rigid and silent until the hacker joined her. “You got
a clearance
code yet?â€
Pat smiled despite the anger radiating out of his leader. “Bet your ass,
honeycomb. I’ll
have it ready for use within the hour.â€
“That’s the first good news I’ve heard in days.†She rested a hand on his
shoulder briefly,
then sent him back to her office. “Where’s Raf?â€
“Right behind you,†the pilot surprised her by answering.
She spun to face him. “You think you can be ready to leave by tomorrow
morning,
midmorning at the latest?â€
He scratched his chin and chewed at his lower lip. “That’ll be pushing it a
bit. But I think
Sonia can have the ship to running speed by then.â€
“I need you to know it, Tygran. Report back in the hour. If you can’t get us
out by
morning, I need the earliest time we can leave.â€
“How are you planning to get all your gear and people to the ship?â€
“I’m not. You’re gonna bring the ship to us.â€
“What!?! Where in the name of hell am I gonna land a starship near here?â€
Kira laughed humorlessly. “I take it you’ve never seen my backyard.†She
walked away
from the gaping pilot, signaling Jo to follow.
The silence was heavy between them as they stalked toward the Shifter’s wing
of the
complex. Kira’s gut burned now, but her mind ran at high speed, clear and
determined. They
didn’t have to knock when they reached Xep’s room. The door was open and the
Shifter was in
conference with three other Shifters. He looked up when Kira walked in and
nodded, but didn’t
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waste energy shifting enough to convey a human expression.
You’ve heard? Xep asked her simply.
Just now. I take it you didn’t know earlier? There was an edge of warning in
her mind
voice.
Daq left without telling any of us. Felt that the situation could be handled
without
sounding an alarm.
Kira snorted. What’s the verdict? She nodded at the other Shifters. All four
looked at her
with multifaceted eyes; three of the four had the blue-green-purple shades of
Xep’s line. The
other’s eyes whirled through red to orange to yellow. Daq was of Xep’s line,
though Kira had
never been clear who was technically older - who was the “propagator†of the
other - only that
they were sprung from the same line.
We intend to help in the rescue, Rel, the Shifter with red-orange eyes, said.
Daq is of our line, Voz, with blue-green eyes, added. The SRC must not
discover our
change.
Agreed. And thanks for your help. Pat will have a clearance code within the
hour. We’ll
leave tomorrow morning, if Tygran can get the ship ready by then. We’ll board
by afternoon at
the latest. For now, I need you four down in Command so we can figure out how
to break into
GH. Successfully, this time.
After a moment’s hesitation, she added, Only you four will go with us. If
something goes
wrong, you’re all under orders to escape using any means possible. We can’t
have SRC
discovering you. Got it? Rel, you’re the most vulnerable to the detectors
since you can’t shift to
non-organic, so I want you on special guard.
Yes. Rel answered, golden head nodding in a very human affirmation.
You’ve got ten to get back up to Command. She looked at them all, then, I
know you can’t
hurt humans. I wouldn’t ask it of you. But bring stun blasters - and don’t be
afraid to use them.
That’s another order.
Four golden heads nodded this time.
With a parting curt jerk of her head, Kira left the room, Jo at her side.
“I’m gonna need
stun blasters for all four Shifters, and multi-phase blasters for me and two
other humans.â€
“Who?†Jo asked without looking at her.
“I’ll ask for volunteers.â€
“May I?â€
“No. I need you here.â€
Jo accepted the decision wordlessly, her expression never changing. They
separated, Kira
heading back to Command, Jo to the armory for the needed weapons.
“Xep?â€
The Shifter turned at the sound of the David’s question. David watched as
blue-green
eyes whirled and the golden head tilted to one side. After a moment, a mouth
formed in the face,
a half shift that David found almost more disconcerting than a full shift.
“I am Voz,†the Shifter replied. “You wish to speak with Xep?â€
“Yeah. I need to see him.â€
The mouth turned up in a smile. “Follow me.†Voz turned, but not before David
saw the
mouth melt away. He grimaced but followed the graceful, lean form of the
Shifter.
Voz led him to a room just outside Command. Three other Shifters were in the
room,
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each holding a blaster. David stopped in the doorway, staring warily at the
group. Of the three,
two had the bluish eyes he associated with Xep. The third had strange
red-orange eyes.
One of the blue-eyed Shifters detached from the group and joined David at the
door. The
Shifter’s head hazed and folded and blended until the human male face that
David thought of as
Xep sat atop an unshifted golden body.
“That’s weird,†David muttered.
“The partial shifts?†Xep smiled. “I like them. They’re easier to maintain,â€
he added
when David grimaced. “What do you wish to talk about?â€
“You’re going with Kira? To rescue the people captured?â€
“How...?â€
“I’ve got good ears. And a...persuasive personality.†At the Shifter’s stare,
David said,
“Sam told me when I asked. He actually threw it at me like a missile. Are you
planning to go?â€
“Yes.â€
“I need to go with you.â€
Xep’s blue eyes widened. “Have you asked Kira?â€
“No. You know as well as I do that she won’t let me go.â€
“But after last night, I had hoped...â€
“Xep, last night Kira and I got a lot of things out in the open, but it isn’t
easy for her to
give her trust to me. I tried. I don’t have it yet. Which means she won’t
trust me to go on this
mission. But without my knowledge of the cell block and the security codes,
you’ll never get in
and out without alerting half of GH. And...â€
“And?†Xep prompted.
“And I think this is a trap. For Kira. It’s the type of thing Commander
Ennoren would set
up. He wants her, and he wants her bad, Xep.â€
Xep studied him in silence for a long moment. David didn’t fidget, but it
took an act of
will. Finally Xep said, “Kira will think you’re part of the trap. That you
want to go along in order
to assure that she and her people walk in to the trap.â€
“I know.â€
“That isn’t true though, is it?â€
“I thought you could read my mind, Xep.â€
The Shifter smiled. “If you allow me to, I can. But without your permission,
I wouldn’t. I
can, however, detect certain...things, as I said before. And I don’t think
you’re part of this
particular trap - though,†Xep’s tone hardened just a bit, “I do believe
you’re part of another. But
that’s for another time. Will you answer my question?â€
“I’m not going to lead her into Ennoren’s arms at GH, if that’s what you want
to know,
Xep. I’ll help you rescue your people.â€
“I believe you. But it’s not my decision to make, David. It’s Kira’s. And as
you already
pointed out, it’s most likely she won’t allow you to go with us.â€
“Xep, without me...â€
“There might be another way,†the Shifter interrupted. “If you were to allow
me into your
thoughts - the pictures only. You’d have to try not to put words to those
pictures, try not to
condense them in that way - if you were to allow that, I could act
as...translator. You could show
me the correct paths and codes, and I would lead Kira.â€
David’s eyebrows lowered over his dark eyes. “You want me to let you into my
head,
Xep? Willingly?†The Shifter nodded. “Will I be able to control what you have
access to?â€
“Mostly. But some of your errant thoughts will come to me also. You don’t
have the
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control required to keep them all to yourself.â€
David groaned and looked at the wall behind Xep. He knew Kira was in trouble,
felt it in
his bones the way he could feel trouble when he was undercover in the Docks.
And he’d learned
enough about Ennoren to know that this could easily be a trap for her. David
wasn’t sure if the
Commander would kill her if he caught her, but he couldn’t be certain he would
let her live,
either.
He also knew with unfailing certainty that Kira wouldn’t trust him, or let
him go along
willingly. Her lack of trust dug at his gut; it surprised him to realize how
much he wanted it. He
couldn’t blame her for not trusting him. He could expect no less from a woman
like Kira, and it
was one of the things he found so compelling about her. But he wanted, needed,
her to give him
that part of her. At the moment, however, fear for her life was his top
concern. Time later for
trust, he told himself, ignoring his underlying fear that there wasn’t enough
time left.
Without her trust, he was left with two choices. He could sneak into the
group with Xep’s
help and deal with Kira’s outrage later. That would be his first choice,
except that it was clear the
Shifter wasn’t prepared to help him in that way. The second choice, to let Xep
into his mind, left
David feeling unclean and violated. He couldn’t be sure what he’d reveal to
the Shifter, and he
still held enough secrets to fear what would happened if Xep discovered them.
They were things
that were best not unearthed just yet.
Unfortunately, without accepting Xep’s offer to work as “translator,†David
had no way
of helping Kira without alienating her entirely. The thought of never being
allowed to touch her
again, of never feeling her hands on his skin or her hair against his cheek
made him shudder.
And he knew then just how painful it would be to lose her. That realization
surprised him more
than his need for her trust. It should have felt absurd, too sudden, unfounded
- but it didn’t. It felt
unquestionably obvious. And right. He needed more than her trust. He needed
her.
“Damn it to hell,†he muttered. Then looked back at Xep. “All right, golden
boy, I’ll
agree to let you in on two conditions. One, nothing you discover goes beyond
the two of us. I’ve
got reasons for a lot of what I’ve done and what I’m doing, and I don’t want
you screwing all of
it up because of some half-baked notion of loyalty.†When Xep opened his
mouth, David said,
“In return for this promise, Xep, I can promise you I won’t hurt her or allow
her to be hurt. Not if
I can possibly prevent it.â€
Slowly, the human head on Shifter body nodded and David continued. “Second
condition, you personally guarantee me that she gets back here alive and safe.
I want you
watching her back, Xep. I want your guarantee that you’ll keep her from
letting her own notions
of nobility get the best of her.â€
At this, Xep actually smiled. “You’ve my guarantee, David Cario. On both
conditions.â€
David jerked out a nod and a mumbled, “Good.†Then he faltered. “What now?â€
he
asked, his gaze nervously darting around the room to the three Shifters still
present.
Xep took his hand, and David was startled by the silky texture of Shifter
skin. He’d
always heard their natural skin described as slimy. “Now,†Xep said, leading
him into the room
and closing the door behind him, “you will relax. And I will go on a short
fact-gathering
journey.â€
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CHAPTER 11
Damn it, Xep are you sure this is the right way? Kira’s hand clenched around
her blaster
at the distant sound of footsteps clicking smartly against polished floors.
Trust me, Xep answered. He’d shifted into male human form. Looking around a
bend in
the corridor, he looked like any other member of her team. But in the organic
shape, he was
vulnerable to detectors.
I trust you, Xep. But the plans Grainne and Pat pulled up didn’t even have
this corridor
on them!
That’s why no one will expect us to use it. Signaling with a sharp hand
gesture, Xep led
the way down the corridor to a security sealed door.
All right, now what? Kira asked, raising her eyebrows expectantly.
Xep smiled. He held up a hand and Kira watched in surprise as it elongated
and
thickened. Still grinning, Xep put this new hand against the palm check. Kira
jumped to pull his
hand away, reacting before she could think. Then she realized no alarms had
sounded and Xep
was still in one piece. She eased her arm back to her side. With his free
hand, Xep punched in a
sequence of numbers. Moments later, the security seal opened and the door
hissed to one side.
We’re gonna have to have a talk about this later, Xep, Kira grumbled as she
led the way
into the cell block. How did you know that seal wasn’t detector-protected?
Inside knowledge. Besides, since no one outside of a few select Guards know
about this
entrance, no one would suspect a Shifter of getting this far.
Inside knowledge, huh? Kira glared over her shoulder at Xep’s smug grin. Damn
him, she
thought irritably. He’s read David’s mind. At the least! He told her a long
time ago that he didn’t
do that. Yes, they would definitely have to have a talk after this was over.
She poked her head around a second bend, spotted two Guards and ducked back.
Voz, she
nodded to the Shifter changed to female human form, which cell set are they
supposed to be in?
Set 10. Two more corridors that way. Voz jerked her head toward the hall
where the
Guards were.
Damn again, she thought. She clicked her blaster manually to stun, indicated
that the
other two humans with her should do the same, and took a deep breath. With a
nod, she spun into
the opening of the hall and fired two shots. The Guards crumbled to the floor
soundlessly. She
hoped the sound of the blaster hadn’t reached any suspicious ears.
At the next corridor, they caught a Guard by surprise when he stepped around
a corner
into the middle of their group. Roger, one of the humans with Kira, disabled
the Guard with a
single hand blow to the back of the neck. That, she thought as she led them
down the final hall,
worked much better than noisy blaster fire.
The brightly lit, spotlessly clean corridors at last opened onto the holding
cells. After Xep
again breached the security-coded door locks, Kira started down the long hall
of magnetically
sealed cells. It was as bright and clean as the other corridors. But here, the
temperature was
lowered so much that Kira could see her breath, and the air was still and
sharp in her nose.
She was tempted to curse Ennoren and his inhumanity out loud, but thought
better of it.
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Xep, are we getting recorded on vid in here?
Took care of it already. Xep sounded so cocky, Kira turned to look more
closely at him.
She was met with a smirk.
Shaking her head, she turned back to checking the cells. They found Breeanne,
James and
Paul in three cells near the end of the corridor. Breeanne was on her feet the
instant Kira stepped
into view, but Kira kept her silent with a hand signal and a frown. Xep shut
off the magnetic seal
on Breeanne’s cell, and Kira moved up to Paul’s.
Paul was a young man, in his midtwenties, well built and physically fit under
normal
circumstances. Seeing him stretched out on the single bed in his prison, he
didn’t look like the
same man. His skin - where it was unbroken - normally a light golden brown,
was washed to a
pale, sickly yellow. His eyes were swollen nearly closed and his dark hair was
matted with blood
and sweat. Breeanne stepped up to her shoulder and whispered in her ear, “He
was wounded
when we were taken. And Ennoren had him in questioning for a few hours.â€
Kira snarled, a growl bubbled up in her throat. She knew from Ennoren’s own
boasting
what went on in questioning. “Help him,†she hissed to Roger and Diego as Xep
unlocked Paul’s
cell.
When they’d released James, Kira looked around, frowning, then turned to
Breeanne and
mouthed Daq’s name. Breeanne’s full lips thinned and her face drained of all
color. “Daq was
taken away right after they returned Paul to his cell,†she whispered close to
Kira’s ear. “That
was hours ago. We haven’t seen Daq since.â€
Kira clenched her eyes shut and mouthed out several violent but soundless
curses. She
snapped her eyes open. Xep, can you reach Daq telepathically? They’d tried to
avoid that, afraid
that Ennoren would have another telepath ready to “listen in†on the
conversation. But she was
willing to take the risk now.
Xep’s human eyes unfocused, turned inward and went blank. He shook his head.
I can’t
feel Daq. Either there’s a telepathic block, or Daq isn’t near enough. Xep
left the third
possibility unsaid.
Kira wanted to curse again. Instead, she signaled the group back down the
corridor
toward the door through which they’d entered. Xep stopped her with a hand on
her arm. There’s
a better way out this way.
She nodded for Xep to take lead, and she fell to the back of the group to
cover their rear.
Xep, you think you can use a command board with that insider information you
have? To find
where they’re keeping Daq?
Maybe. But Paul is injured and slowing us down. Let’s get these out first,
then we’ll work
at recovering Daq.
Though the Shifter didn’t say the words, Kira got the distinct impression of
suppressed
loss, and she provided the words for that impression. They would recover Daq
if Daq still lived.
There a command board along this route, Xep?
After a silent pause, the Shifter said, Not far from where we get everyone
else out of the
building.
Good. Voz, you’re in charge of getting everyone back to the complex. Once
you’re on the
road, slow and easy.
If we hit a blockade?
Tell them you’ve got a sick friend and you’re on the way to the medical
block. Kira
stopped. Better yet, split up. A few with you, Voz, and a few with Syt. Rel,
you stay in human
form. Xep, give Voz the code to get out of the building.
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They came to a branching corridor and Xep indicated this was where they had
to
separate. “Breeanne,†Kira murmured, “we’re gonna split up. Xep and I will try
to find Daq. The
rest of you are to get back to the complex as fast as possible, but without
breaking any laws. Half
with Voz, half with Syt. No heroics,†Kira warned. Breeanne’s gray eyes were
wide as she
nodded.
Xep and Kira waited until the rest were out of sight before heading toward
the nearest
command board. Xep, is there a quicker way out from the board, or will we have
to go back the
way we’ve come?
There’s another route...
Xep’s hesitation had Kira’s already alert nerves jumping. But? she asked,
scanning the
hall with her blaster at the ready.
It will take us right through the Officers’ vehicle port.
Shit. That doesn’t sound good, Xep.
It’s not. But chances are, we won’t have the time to get all the way back to
the exit the
others took before someone notices either the unconscious Guards, or the
missing prisoners. And
there’s always the chance they’ll detect me hunting their systems. Through the
vehicle port is our
quickest way out of the building, and onto a road.
All right. But while you’re system hunting, if you come across schedules,
take a peek and
make sure we aren’t trying to leave the building with every officer in the
Guard.
The command board was set in a wall only ten meters from the door to the
vehicle port.
With every puff of air, Kira expected the door to whoosh open and a dozen
armed Guards to
walk through. She kept her back to the wall as Xep worked, scanning the
corridors with ears and
eyes, blaster ready. Too exposed, she thought again and again. The nearest
corner was just across
from the door. If someone came through that door, there would be no place for
her and Xep to
run.
Time ticked by and Kira’s stomach clenched tighter, her nerves twitched. She
tried to
relax her shoulders, failed and went back to scanning the halls. “Anything?â€
she hissed at Xep,
forgetting to use telepathy altogether.
Almost there, Xep answered in her mind, a wordless reminder to focus on
speaking
telepathically. The less noise they made, the better.
Any sign of a schedule change? We’re sitting open here, Xep.
Haven’t come across anything. Don’t worry, I’m almost there.
You “don’t worry.†I plan on doing a lot of worrying until we’re out of here
with Daq in
tow. In the next instant, Kira felt such a wash of anguished, wordless
impressions from Xep she
almost choked on them. Chrissake, Xep! What’s wrong?
Daq was slated for termination an hour ago.
Her limbs weakened. She leaned back against the wall, feeling like someone
had reached
in and pulled her guts out through her abdomen. Shit. Did the termination take
place? She was
grateful for their telepathic communications at that moment, because she
doubted she’d be able
to speak past the rage and sadness clogging her throat.
Log entries for that time haven’t been entered yet. Xep’s mind voice was now
so
emotionless it was chilling.
Kira dropped her head back against the wall, wanting badly to pound it
against the blocks
until she no longer felt the slow gnawing in her gut. She wanted to shout and
cry, and knew she
didn’t have time for either yet. She didn’t even have time to grieve. Okay,
Xep, she said pulling
away from the wall, but the Shifter interrupted her by raising a hand.
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Xep’s human face frowned in concentration, then he said, Quick, to the other
corridor, I
hear someone coming.
Just before she moved, Kira also heard the footsteps echoing down the hall.
They
scrambled, as quietly as the polished floors would allow, to the hall directly
opposite the vehicle
port exit. Kira pressed her back to the wall, blaster raised and ready, ears
trained to the
approaching footsteps. Xep, just behind her, scanned the hall in which they
were hiding.
Though her hearing wasn’t as good as Xep’s, she could tell that only one
person
approached. That was a small relief. With luck, whoever it was would walk out
to the vehicle
port without looking down this hall - or worse yet, turning down it. She
checked to make sure her
weapon was still on stun, then waited.
There was a moment of silence. And in that moment, when the footsteps had
stilled but
whoever it was hadn’t yet come into view, Kira’s breathing stopped and her
pulse sped. Then the
booted heels on polished floor sounded again. The instant the Guard came into
view, Kira had
her weapon trained on him. It took her another entire heartbeat before she
realized who she was
looking at. His back was to her as he prepared to leave the building. But
there was no doubt of
his identity.
She knew him too well.
She stepped away from the wall, into the middle of the corridor and leveled
her blaster at
his back. “Funny meeting you here,†she growled.
He began to turn, too quickly. “Ah, ah,†she admonished. “Slow and easy.
Hands in the
air, where I can see them.†When he hesitated, she snapped, “Do it!â€
Hands up, movements careful and controlled, he turned to face her. Kira’s lip
curled
despite her desire to keep in control. Anger and hatred boiled up in her rigid
muscles and
clenched jaw. When he sneered, she very nearly shot him.
“I always figured I’d find you pointing a blaster at me one of these days,
Kira,†Ennoren
said through his smirk.
“Fuck you, Eain.â€
He raised an eyebrow. “How low you’ve sunk. Or have you always been so base?â€
He
shrugged his shoulders as if it made no difference.
Kira’s hand shook once before she could contain her rage.
“I take it I’ll find the cells in Set 10 empty?†he said when she remained
silent.
“Where’s Daq?†The question ground out through the clenched wall of her
teeth.
Another condescendingly raised brow. “Who?â€
“The Shifter,†she spat. “Where is the Shifter?â€
“The Shifter? You mean the one taken with the terrorists, or the one that
brought them
here?†Though his voice was casual and arrogant, Kira saw his eyes darting,
looking for escape
or advantage.
“Both.†Her anger was so intense, it drained all tone from her voice. She
sounded hollow
to her own ears. Hollow, but dangerous.
“The one that brought your friends here, as you may have guessed, was a myth.
A good
one though, don’t you think?†When she continued to stare, mouth an
unflinching line in her
face, his eyes creased at the corners. He looked at her as if he’d never seen
her before. That was
fine by Kira. “As for the Shifter that helped the terrorists,†he continued,
the arrogance in his
voice dimmed, “well, I’m afraid the Lord High Senator denied my request to
have it sent to
Shifter Research Center, so...â€
“So?†Her voice was violently quiet.
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His eyes snapped to hers. “Have you ever seen the effects of hydrochloric
acid on
Shifters?†he growled. Something in her face must have revealed her horror,
because a short
burst of laughter exploded from him, filling the echoing corridors.
Kira’s gun arm went slack for just a heartbeat, then she straightened it and
leveled the
blaster at Ennoren’s chest. “Bastard,†she whispered.
His top lip twitched.
She manually clicked the blaster to kill, watched in satisfaction as his eyes
widened in
surprise. Switching to a wide stance, legs braced apart, she clutched the
weapon in both hands
and set her finger against the trigger button. Her eyes locked onto Ennoren’s
blue, hate-filled
stare. She continued to stare into his eyes as she clicked the blaster back to
stun and fired in the
same moment.
She kept staring at him while he crumbled to the floor like a pathetic rag
doll. Slowly
lowering the weapon, she took one long, shaky breath and signaled Xep to open
the exit door.
She didn’t drag her gaze away from the unconscious form of her ex-husband
until she’d passed
outside with Xep, and the door closed behind them.
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CHAPTER 12
Kira walked in to a dark, silent bedroom that night, grateful it was closer
than her room in
the mansion would have been. Her body ached with fatigue and sorrow. There
hadn’t been time
since she’d returned to the complex to mourn the loss of Daq. She’d been
bombarded with
questions and problems the minute she’d walked into Command, forced to come up
with
solutions and last-minute miracles, required to push aside her own grief for a
later time.
Now she was too drained to think. She felt tears of exhaustion and
frustration burning just
behind gritty eyes. Her head felt groggy and thick, as if she’d cried for
hours already. But the
turbulent emotions wrecking havoc on her system stayed inside, corked like a
shaken bottle of
carbonated water, waiting to explode.
She was halfway into her room before she thought to order the lights on. She
took
another two or three steps toward her fold-out sink before she realized there
was someone else in
the room. David sat in the only chair, a synthesized metal foldout designed
for practicality over
comfort. An unlit cigarette in his mouth, his arms folded across his chest, he
remained
motionless, waiting for her to speak. She looked at him for a long moment, her
tired mind not
recognizing the intrusion; then she turned back toward the sink and proceeded
to wash the day
from her face and hands.
From the corner of her eye, she saw him move, smelled the breath of smoke
when he lit
the cigarette; but she didn’t face him again until she’d dried her face and
hands thoroughly. Even
then, she kept her face in the towel for a heartbeat longer than was
necessary. When she did face
him, he looked as he had when she’d first noticed him but for the smoke now
curling from the
glowing tip of the cigarette.
“You okay?†he asked.
“No.†She was too tired to be anything but honest. She tossed the towel onto
the floor and
sunk down on the corner of her bed. “What are you doing here?â€
“I came to see you. To make sure you were...all right.â€
“I’m not. Xep read your thoughts.†She’d expected shock, outrage. Instead,
she got a
quiet nod. “You knew?â€
“I let him do it. I didn’t want you going in blind.â€
Her temper flared through the haze of exhaustion. “Why the hell didn’t either
of you tell
me about this?â€
“We both knew you wouldn’t trust my information.â€
His quiet, blunt honesty punched a pinhole in her anger. Before she realized
it, her temper
drained away entirely. “I’m too tired to care right now,†she told him. “I’ll
be angry about it
tomorrow.â€
Again, he simply nodded. Then he reached down beside the chair and picked up
a small,
flat flask. “Here. You look like you could use some of this.â€
She took the flask, unscrewed the top and sniffed. “What is it?â€
“The Binneans’ equivalent of brandy. It’s sweeter, though. Binneans have
quite a sweet
tooth.â€
“I didn’t know that.†She sniffed the liquor again, then took a sip. It
burned down her
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throat and made her eyes water. But the aftertaste was so different from
anything she’d tasted
before, and so delicious, that she took another, larger gulp.
“Careful,†David warned, though he didn’t move to take the flask from her.
“It’s stronger
than brandy, too. Keep gulping that way, and you’ll be unconscious within
minutes.â€
“So?†But she took a smaller sip this time.
“That bad?â€
“That bad.â€
He offered her the end of his cigarette, now half gone. She shook her head,
then changed
her mind and took one slow drag. “Ugh. That tastes terrible after the Binnean
brandy.†She
grimaced and took another sip of the drink to wash the nasty taste away.
“Probably why we’ve never been able to get the Binneans hooked on tobacco.â€
She stared at him through the pleasant haze created by the brandy. “It wasn’t
very smart
of Xep, taking your information about that secret entrance into GH. There
could have been a trap
there, waiting for us. Ennoren would have known that you knew about...â€
“Ennoren doesn’t know I know about that entrance,†he interrupted. “And Xep
would
have seen that sort of deception in my mind when he was roaming around.â€
She dropped her gaze, frowning because she couldn’t argue with logic when she
was so
tired. “Worry about it tomorrow, Kira,†David murmured through a slight smile.
They sat in silence then, while David finished his cigarette and she sipped
at the brandy.
When he got to the bottom of his cigarette, he rose and put it out in the
sink, then sat beside her
on the bed. She stiffened away from him, holding the flask between them like a
shield.
“I’m still supposed to be mad at you,†she pouted, not noticing that she was
swaying and
acting petulant.
“You can be mad at me tomorrow.†He gathered her to his side, arms tightening
around
her when she started to pull away. After the pretense of struggle, Kira
dissolved into his
embrace. She pressed her face into his shoulder and took a deep breath, trying
vainly to hold
back tears. He gently extracted the flask from her limp hand, resealed it
while still cradling her,
and tossed it clattering onto the chair.
“I’m not going to cry,†she said against his shoulder, ordering herself to
obey that
statement.
“Cry if you want to.†He placed one hand against the back of her head,
stroked her hair.
“I don’t want to.â€
“You need to.â€
“What do you know about what I need?â€
“I know what it’s like to lose someone you care about.â€
With that one simple statement, he broke the dam of her control and she
cried, long and
painfully until she ran out of tears.
“Feel better?†he asked when her sobbing relaxed to sputtering, deep breaths.
“No.†She rubbed roughly at her eyes and face with her hands, then with her
sleeve until
she’d dried away most of the moisture. “Why are you here, David?†she asked
again.
“I told you - to make sure you’re all right.†He relaxed his grip enough to
let her sit up
straighter, but he kept his arms around her shoulders and waist. “I figured
you needed me.â€
“Don’t be stupid,†she snapped, surprising herself with the outburst.
“I won’t. And you did...do need me. Who else do you have in the compound?
You’re
their leader, right? The one they all turn to for strength and support. Who do
you have to turn to
for those things?â€
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“Myself.†She pulled away from him, forcing him to drop his arms. “I don’t
need anyone
else.â€
“Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on.†He shrugged at her abstinent frown.
“I depended on my parents, and they were killed. I leaned on Ennoren and was
betrayed.
I don’t lean on anyone any more.â€
“You just did,†he pointed out in his husky voice.
She couldn’t deny his words, though she wanted to badly. Instead she glared
at him,
angry that she’d given so much to him without realizing it. He looked back
into her eyes,
unflinching beneath her glare, until finally Kira had to look away.
“Why did you help me today? Why did you let Xep into your mind?†She wanted
to
change the subject before he saw any deeper into her.
“I thought you might be walking into a trap.â€
“We didn’t. I didn’t see any signs of one. Actually, that surprised me.â€
He hitched one shoulder up. “Whether there was one there or not doesn’t
really matter,
now that you’re all back and safe.â€
“Not all of us.â€
He lowered his gaze and nodded.
“Why did you do it, David? Ennoren is your boss...â€
“I’ve already told you how I feel about Ennoren,†he interrupted.
“But you’ve been working with a team of Shifter hunters for three years now.
Why would
you want to protect me, of all people? One of the leaders of a Shifter rescue
group. Why, when
I’m holding you prisoner?â€
He looked right into her eyes. “I would have thought last night answered that
question.â€
“Last night was sex, David. Just sex.â€
“Was it?†He reached across the space between them and pulled her close. “Was
it
really?â€
He held her locked against him, eyes boring into hers, waiting for an answer.
But that
close to him, her head dizzy from tears and Binnean brandy, his scent filling
her nostrils, his
warmth burning into her skin, she couldn’t think enough to form an answer.
Didn’t know what
answer to give, what answer he wanted or expected from her.
At last, she shook her head and murmured, “I don’t know. I don’t know
anything
anymore. I only know that it doesn’t matter now.â€
“Don’t,†he warned. “It does matter. This,†he pressed her closer, “matters
very much.
You want to know why I let Xep into my mind? Because I didn’t want you hurt.
Because I
wanted you to get back here alive. Because no matter what I tell myself, every
second that passes
feels like I’m losing something vital. Like precious moments are slipping
through my fingers,
and there’s nothing I can do to stop them. And when they’re gone, I’ll have
lost something I
don’t want to lose.†He dropped his mouth close to hers, his hot breath
caressing her lips and
cheek. “We always say later, Kira. I’ll deal with that later. I’ll make time
for that later. But there
isn’t a later. There’s only now. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let now
get away this time.â€
His lips covered hers, his kiss strong and passionate. And devastating. Her
body softened
and relaxed and molded against him, absorbing his strength, his heat, and
answering his desire.
His touch was desperate, hungrily covering every inch of her. And with each
squeeze, each nip
and pinch, Kira urged him for more.
Tumbling her onto her back, he rushed to get her out of her clothes, not
bothering with
slow seduction. Kira felt the urgency driving him in the taut muscles along
his back and
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shoulders, knew he needed this. She was surprised to realize how much she
needed it, too.
He wasn’t gentle, and because she didn’t want gentle she was rough in return,
demanding
he take as much as he gave. He left her only long enough to toss away his own
clothing, then he
was with her again, sucking and biting the tender skin of her nipple until she
moaned with the
painful pleasure. He entered her hard and fast, his first brutal thrust making
her convulse with a
powerful orgasm. She raked her fingernails up his back, barely heard his
groans against the
blinding pressure building in her again with his every movement.
He buried his face in her shoulder and pounded hard into her. With each
thrust, with each
groan, he asked, demanded something more from her. Something that went beyond
physical
pleasure. Something she gave with a tear in her eye, feverishly panting his
name. It was a
promise logic told her she wouldn’t be able to keep; but she had to give it
anyway, despite logic,
because her heart demanded it of her, too.
Everything around her melted away except the hard heat of David’s lovemaking.
All of
her senses focused on him, the feel of sweat on his skin, the smell of
cigarettes and soap, the
scrape of evening beard stubble against her cheek. And when she felt him pulse
inside her, felt
his body stiffen and heard his harsh gasp, she squeezed her arms and legs
tightly around him and
fell into a final, rending climax of her own.
She only realized she’d fallen asleep when she came groggily back to full
consciousness
and found herself beneath the blanket, curled securely against David’s chest.
His arms were
wrapped around her so firmly that she was afraid moving would wake him. She
stayed still,
sighed with contentment and tried to go back to sleep.
Only then did her memory reassert itself. And though she was too exhausted to
stay
awake for long, her mind reminded her of the promise she’d given to him. A
promise she’d given
in more than just spirit when the words spilled from her just before she fell
asleep. The memory
of her voice repeating that simple phrase followed her back to sleep.
I love you, David.
David waited until he felt her relax again, felt her breathing slow and
steady in sleep
before he relaxed his grip. When he’d felt her stir, he’d been afraid she
would try to move away
from him, so he tightened his hold. Now as she lay quiet, he ran a gentle hand
over her back.
Did she remember what she said? Did she even realize she’d spoken aloud? God,
he
needed her to remember, to mean the words she whispered in his ear before
drifting off to sleep.
He needed that more than he’d needed anything in his life. He could still hear
her sweet,
exhausted voice murmuring, “I love you, David.†And he wanted so much to
believe her. He
didn’t want to think that she was the type to idly toss that phrase around
after sex.
In his heart, he knew she wasn’t.
The cautious, thoughtful logic that had kept him alive for the last twelve
years failed him
utterly when it came to Kira. Analytically, he realized that loving her
shouldn’t have happened
so fast, that these emotions should be a simple side effect of stress. But his
intuition, his gut -
which had always served him above his logic - knew without a doubt that this
wasn’t a passing
fancy or a simple case of lust. He’d known from the beginning that Kira would
be different.
Unfortunately, neither his gut nor his mind knew how to bridge the chasm
placed
between them by their current situation. And until he could tell her
everything, until he could
stop hiding his real goal from her, he knew that gap would remain. He tried
not to think about
what might happen after he admitted everything to her, after she discovered
that he’d been using
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her. Discovered what he’d done before meeting her. He wanted to believe that
knowing the
ultimate goal of his mission would make it easier for her to forgive him as
much as he wanted to
believe her murmured declaration of love.
There really would be time, he lied to himself as he drifted closer to sleep.
He would
make her see that they should be together, that she could love him and trust
him. He just needed
a little more time to convince her.
He fell asleep with his gut anxiously hinting that time was running out.
Quiet music rose, bringing Kira gently out of sleep. The restless movement
behind her
and the arm circling her waist reminded her that she wasn’t alone. As gently
as she could, she
slid out from beneath his grasp, then manually switched the music off at the
command board
near her door. She crossed back to the wall next to her fold-out sink and a
door leading to a small
bathroom opened at her approach.
She slipped into the room, the door quietly swishing shut behind her, and
turned on the
shower, ordering a temperature hot enough to redden her skin. She felt
surprisingly well-rested,
considering the activities of the night before and sharing the smaller bed of
this room with
David. Her muscles ached just enough to remind her of their lovemaking. She
stepped beneath
the steaming spray of the shower, hissing in a breath as the hot water hit
cool skin. When her
body adjusted, she stood for several minutes simply letting the water run down
the back of her
head and neck, over her shoulders, relaxing the tired muscles.
Her back was to the washroom’s door and her hearing blocked by the water
rushing over
her ears, so when she felt a brush of cold air just before the firm clasp of
hands on her waist, she
jumped.
“Sorry to startle you,†David murmured into her ear while his hands moved up
her
stomach to cover her breasts. He squeezed gently, then rolled her peaked
nipple between his
fingers.
She dropped her head against his shoulder and moaned. “You’re forgiven,†she
breathed,
just before his mouth covered hers. Water pelted the top of his head, washing
over their faces.
David took a step backward, pulling her with him, so that the spray hit only
their bodies. With
his lips still locked to hers, he moved one hand from kneading her breast down
her stomach and
to the junction between her legs. Kira convulsed against his hand, shuddering
despite the heated
water.
He turned her around to face him then and wrapped her in a tight embrace. A
long time
passed before he did anything but kiss her and hold her. His mouth moved
tenderly against her
lips, his hands caressed her back in long, languid strokes. Though she felt
his erection hard and
eager against her abdomen, he didn’t rush to fill her. Her own fervent need
warred with the part
of her that thrilled to his tender care. She wanted him inside her. She wanted
him to keep holding
her. But more than that, she never wanted him to let go.
And then her back was against the slick walls and her legs wrapped around his
waist, his
hands firm on her buttocks, guiding her down onto his erection. He matched the
slow thrusts of
his hips with deep strokes of his tongue inside her mouth. The contrast was
dizzying. With a
steady, gentle rhythm, David brought her to a climax that washed over and
through her entire
body with shocking strength. He released his claim to her lips only when she
pulled her mouth
away so that she could breath while her body trembled through orgasm. He sped
his thrust
briefly, then she felt him pulse inside her and he groaned, squeezing her
buttocks as he came.
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Her legs shook when he set her back on her feet. She had to brace one hand
against the
shower wall and one on his shoulder to keep from taking an all-too-sudden seat
on the floor of
the shower stall. He kissed her ear and whispered, “Good morning, pretty
eyes.â€
They finished their shower in contented silence, then dried each other with
overly large,
fluffy towels - the only luxury Kira continued to indulge in. They were
dressing when Kira’s
stomach growled.
“When did you last eat?†David asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his
arms
around her waist.
She had to think about the answer. “I had a nutro-bar sometime yesterday. I
don’t
remember when.â€
“A nutro-bar? That means an immediate trip to the canteen is in order.â€
Kira leaned back against his chest and closed her eyes. It would be so easy
to get used to
this. But their time had run out. Realizing that this was the last time she’d
be able to hold him,
she hugged his arms tight, memorizing the moment. Then she pulled away. “I’ve
got too much to
do this morning to go to the canteen, David. But don’t let that stop you from
getting your fill.â€
“What’s got you so busy this morning?â€
She heard the suspicion in his voice. “Lots of things,†she replied,
irrationally wanting to
avoid the topic. She didn’t know how to tell him. Especially after last night.
“Things? Would these things have to do with the breaking down of the
complex?â€
Her head snapped around to face him. “You know?â€
“It’s obvious that you’re dissembling this place, Kira. You’re moving to a
new
complex?â€
She looked away. “Sort of. I have to go.†She was standing in the open door
before she
stopped herself, forced herself to tell him. “You’ll be released today, David.
By this afternoon
you can be on your way home, with all of this behind you.â€
“And if I don’t want to go?â€
She wasn’t surprised by his answer, but it made what she had to say harder.
She didn’t
turn around to look at him when she answered. “You don’t have much of a choice
in the matter.
By this afternoon, this place will be empty and completely shut down.â€
“And what about us? When will I be able to see you again?â€
“You won’t.†She walked out the door.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 74
CHAPTER 13
Kira was both relieved and disappointed when David didn’t follow her, didn’t
try to stop
her or demand an explanation. She didn’t want to explain - it would hurt too
much. But the
irrational part of her that had fallen in love with him wanted him to stop
her, to tell her they
would be together no matter what, that he’d fly across the galaxy to be with
her. It was an old
fairytale, one she’d stopped believing in after her marriage failed. Or at
least, one she thought
she no longer believed in. Until she met David and rediscovered hope.
Now the hope only made her heart ache more.
She went straight to Command, too heartsick to think about food. Command was
eerily
silent. Most of the room had been broken down. What wasn’t going with them had
been
destroyed. Only the tapestry of Nathanial and Brigit remained - she’d ordered
it to be the last
thing removed. She stood before the wall hanging, silent, staring at the
golden eyes of her great-
grandfather. Then she moved the tapestry aside.
She had to go by memory. She hadn’t wanted to leave a discernible hint, but
it took her
only two tries before she found the soft patch of metal that, when pressed,
opened a hidden panel
just at her eye level. Kira reached inside the small hole, pulled out a
leather thong on which two
metal tags hung. Then she resealed the hole.
As she walked to the lifts, she tied the thong around her neck and tucked the
tags beneath
the high collar of her navy jumpsuit. The metal fell heavy and cold against
her skin, reassuring
and comforting. She took one final look at the cavern that had once been her
Command room,
then turned down the corridor to the lift that would take her to the back of
the mansion above.
All those that were going, Shifter and human alike, stood in the
glass-enclosed back
porch, waiting. Kira went to Jo’s side, placing a hand on the other woman’s
shoulder. “We’re
ready?â€
“We’re ready.â€
Raf stood near enough to notice Kira’s quiet arrival. “Well, Farseaker,†he
said, draping
an arm across her shoulder, “this is it. You sure you want to go through with
it?â€
“Positive.â€
“I don’t suppose I could talk you into just giving me the coordinates to
where we’re
going?â€
“You tried that already,†she said through a small smile. “No. I have to
navigate
manually. And I’m wiping the destination coordinates from the computer when we
get there, so
don’t start planning any sudden vacations.â€
He chuckled, squeezed her shoulder, then looked toward the sky. “Here she
comes,†he
said proudly.
Moments later Kira saw the silver bird descend from the sky, growing into a
ship large
enough to carry her entire group, supplies and then some, but small enough to
be quick and
maneuverable both on and off planet. She’d always considered the 12KZ an odd
size for a space-
faring ship - too small to be considered a transport, but too big to be a
personal carrier. Raf was
more than happy to point out, however, that the 12KZ was the perfect size for
smuggling.
The ship came to a hover in the middle of a large expanse of flat lawn in her
backyard.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 75
Three landing feet descended from underneath the ship and it dropped gently to
the grass. Trees
a half kilometer away swayed in the wind caused by the ship’s landing. “Isn’t
she gorgeous?â€
Raf said in Kira’s ear before walking out to his ship.
Kira followed, Jo and Pat with her. As they neared the ship, the side hatch
opened and a
ramp lowered to the grass. At the top of the ramp stood a woman dressed in a
bright red and
purple, skin-hugging bodysuit. Her ebony hair was piled on top of her head in
a complicated
mesh of braids, twists and weaves, decorated with strings of gold and pearls.
Almond-shaped
dark eyes scanned the surrounding lawn and even from a distance, Kira heard
her appreciative
whistle. “Some spread,†she called out to the approaching group, then glided
down the ramp.
Closer, Kira noted the prominently placed blaster in the woman’s utility
belt. Multi-
phase, she guessed, and probably not set on stun. The second thing she noticed
was the height of
the woman’s boot heels - Kira would have toppled from that height and broken
her ankle. The
woman, however, walked as if in her bare feet. It wasn’t until Kira stood next
to the woman that
she realized the probable reason for the boots - even with them, she was still
no more than 5’3â€,
half a foot shorter than Kira.
“Hey, Raf, ya shit,†the woman yelled. “Who the hell owns this place, the
friggin’ Lord
High Senator himself?â€
“He lives just up the street,†Kira said, trying to hide her grin.
“Sonia,†Raf nodded to the woman, “this is Kira Farseaker. Kira, my co-pilot
Sonia Shen-
mae.â€
“Some place you’ve got here, Farseaker.â€
Kira dipped her head in thanks. “You’ve got quite a nice ship there, Sonia.
The Ebisu,
right?â€
“You’ve got it.â€
“Mind if I ask what it means? Raf wouldn’t tell me.â€
Sonia grinned. “It’s the name of the Buddhist god representing honest toil -
the
tradesmen’s god.â€
Kira chuckled, bowing her head in acknowledgement of the pun.
“Where’d you find Raf, anyway? Not exactly your crowd, eh?†Sonia waggled her
slim
eyebrows and glanced around the estate.
“He was...recommended.â€
Sonia snorted. “He tried to get in your pants yet?â€
Kira only hesitated a beat. “I hired Raf for his skills as a pilot. Not for
sex.â€
“Smart woman, ’cause piloting is his only real skill, and he’s still not very
good at that.â€
“Ah, come on Sonia, you know you want my body,†Raf said through a crooked
grin.
“For scientific analysis only,†she grinned back. “But enough of this shit.
What the hell
are we doing?â€
“Loading up.â€
“Well, then, we better get a move on.â€
“Any sign of the Leeches before you took off?†Raf asked before Sonia could
disappear
into the ship.
“Nope. I hid the ship real good, Captain.†She gave him a mock salute and
ducked back
through the hatch. A moment later, a rear ramp into the cargo bay opened.
“I like her,†Pat said, grinning up at Kira and Raf.
“Watch her, hacker,†Raf warned. “She bites.â€
Pat’s grinned widened. “I sure hope so.â€
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Despite herself, Kira giggled. “All right, you miscreants, let’s get this
bird loaded so we
can kiss Narava goodbye.â€
Loading the ship went surprisingly smoothly. Raf’s crew, a mix of humans,
Binneans and
droids, helped Kira’s people, speeding up the process immensely. By
midmorning, they had
finished with the technical gear. They were readying to load personal gear
when David found
her.
The hard coldness in his dark eyes made Kira shiver. “We need to talk,†he
said and took
her arm, pulling her off to one side of the open lawn, out of hearing range of
the others. She
thought of protesting his treatment, then decided he had the right to be
angry. And they did need
to talk.
“When were you going to tell me you were going off-planet - permanently?†he
demanded.
“Who told you?†she asked just above a whisper.
“Sam, not that it matters. Why didn’t you tell me?â€
“I...I didn’t know how to tell you. I thought this way would be easier. That
you’d look
back and be grateful I was gone.â€
“You thought I’d be grateful?†He grabbed her shoulders and jerked her
against him so
that they were nose to nose. “I told you once I wasn’t going to be easy for
you to get rid of. Did
you think I was just saying that? I don’t make idle threats, Kira.â€
“David, I have to go. And you have to stay. There wasn’t any point in
discussing it.â€
“No point?†he breathed out incredulously. “Do you remember what you said to
me last
night, just before you fell asleep?â€
Her gaze dropped, a wash of heat flooded her cheeks. “Yes.â€
“Did you mean it?†His voice was as brutally hard as his grip. When she
didn’t answer,
he ground out, “Did you mean it, Kira?â€
“I shouldn’t have meant it,†she said, her voice stronger this time. “I
didn’t want to mean
it. But I did.†When she looked into his gaze again, her eyes were bright with
unshed tears. “It
doesn’t matter now. But for what it’s worth, I meant it. Still mean it, and
will probably feel this
way for a long time.â€
“Say it.†His voice roughened and lowered.
“Why?â€
“Say it, Kira.â€
“Fine. I love you. Are you happy now? Crazy as it seems, I love you. So
now...†But he
didn’t let her finish. He cut off her words of retreat with a heart-wrenching
kiss that stole all of
Kira’s strength. The tears she’d tried to hold back trickled down her cheeks.
She wrapped her
arms around his waist and kissed him for what she was afraid would be the last
time.
When the kiss ended, David continued to hold her close, keeping her head
tucked beneath
his chin with a hand on the back of her head. “You don’t have to go,†he said
into her hair. “You
could stay. Let the rest go.â€
She shook her head. “I have to go. Where we’re going, the planet, it’s...it’s
a family
legacy. But its location is secret.â€
“You’ll have to tell Raf the coordinates anyway, though?â€
“No. I’ll navigate. Pat’s already working on a bypass so I can circumvent the
automatic
recording system, and have the records wiped clean once we’re there and Raf is
safely on the
right route back. Besides,†she raised her face to look into his eyes, “after
breaking three people
out of GH and shooting Ennoren, I’m a wanted person now. Even if I had a
choice before, I don’t
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 77
now.†She hesitated, afraid to speak her thoughts but equally afraid not to.
Finally, she rushed
out the words. “You could go with us. There’s room. Enough supplies. You could
come.â€
He looked away from her eager gaze, and she knew his answer before he spoke.
She’d
expected this answer, but she’d hoped for a different one. “Kira, I have
something left to do here.
I can’t leave now. I’ve worked for a long time to get to this point, and I
have to see it through.â€
She pulled away, still keeping her hands on his waist but putting some space
between
their bodies. “Is this about Ennoren and proof of your sister’s innocence?â€
“Partly. There’s more. A lot I haven’t told you.†He fell silent again.
Kira watched the debate in his eyes, the argument he was having with himself
over what
he should and shouldn’t reveal. So much they still didn’t know about each
other. So much to
learn, and no time left. She wanted to tell him to be honest, to tell her all
there was to tell. But
she hadn’t been fully honest with him from the beginning. Could she expect any
more or less
from him? Oh, but she wanted more. His full honesty, his complete trust. And
she wanted to give
her trust in return.
He had helped her when she needed it. He didn’t have to let Xep into his
mind, didn’t
have to give them secret command codes and accesses into GH so she could save
her people.
What else had Xep discovered about him while inside his mind? What were the
secrets he was
hiding? What was he even now debating about telling her?
Fate took the debate out of his hands. Pat streaked across the lawn toward
them, brown
eyes wide, the whites prominent against his black skin. “Kira, we just got
news!â€
Kira stepped out of David’s arms and faced her best hacker. “Explain.â€
“I was monitoring the communications waves while I was fiddling with the
ship’s
computers. Mostly standard traffic, news casts, info relays, that sort of
thing. Then, on one of the
supposedly non-functioning channels, I start to hear chatter. It’s coded, and
so being curious, I
record it. The code was a ball-breaker, but I got it. Kira,†Pat sucked in a
breath, “Daq is still
alive.â€
“What!?!†Kira grabbed Pat by the shoulders and brought his face close to
hers.
“Daq is alive. Ennoren was arranging transport to SRC for the Shifter
captured yesterday.
Top secret. No one outside of himself and a few Guards to know. SRC was warned
to keep the
new acquisition quiet, too. Not even the Lord High Senator is to know about
this, Kira. I mean,
no one knows!â€
“Except us.†She dropped her hands, eyes fixed on a spot past his shoulder.
She felt the
cold determination in her voice spread through her body. She turned that
determination on
David. “Could this be a trap? After getting in yesterday, would he think us
capable of hacking
that code?â€
“Pat, what band was it on?†David asked.
“EQT - Zone8.â€
David’s black eyes caught in a feral light that matched Kira’s own mood.
“That band is
so restricted and secret that even most of the senators don’t know about it,â€
he told her. “It’s
Ennoren’s band. Private. He uses it only when he wants the utmost secrecy. The
codes he uses on
that band are supposed to be unbreakable.†David slid an appreciative glance
at Pat, who in turn
beamed with pride.
“So, you’re telling me he would assume no one would be able to break this
message,
even if it were intercepted?†she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder to
make him focus on her.
“That’s what I’m telling you.†They shared a long stare, understanding moving
wordlessly between them.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 78
“Pat,†she said over her shoulder, not taking her eyes from David’s, “you got
a route in
that message?â€
“Just managed to open part of it, Kira. Enough to find out Daq was alive and
where they
were going. Give me another half hour, and I’ll have the whole thing wide for
you.â€
“Do it.†With a short nod to David, she turned and headed back to the ship.
She felt him a
step behind her, keeping pace, the energy building in her own body radiated
out of him like sun
heat.
“Pat,†David said, “can I get a copy of the message when you’ve got it fully
open?â€
Pat, trotting at Kira’s side, looked to her for confirmation. She glanced
over her shoulder
at David. His face gave nothing away, but the hungry look in his eyes decided
her. She nodded
her approval to Pat, who eyed them both with a strange expression but he
didn’t argue with her
decision.
When they reached the ship, Pat disappeared up a ramp and Kira bellowed,
“Where the
hell is Tygran?â€
“Right here, gorgeous.†The pilot stepped from beneath the ship. “What’s
going on?â€
“Change of plans. We’re not leaving immediately. As soon as the ship’s
loaded, I want to
you to take most of the crew and hide somewhere for the day.â€
“Reason?†Raf was all business now.
“Rescue operation. Gotta go get one of my people back.â€
“The dead Shifter?â€
“The live Shifter. We’ll rendezvous an hour after sunset, before Lonrach
rises. You know
the old wash, just to the east of Capital?â€
“Know it well,†he grinned. “Hid there once or twice in my youth.â€
“Well, don’t hide there now. Just meet me there. And if you’re late, Tygran,
you can
forget about your money. Find Jo for me.â€
“You can be a hard woman, Farseaker,†he teased, giving her a salute before
heading
toward the ship’s rear ramp.
“You trust him,†David asked when they were alone.
“No. But I trust his greed - I’m paying him a lot for this flight. And I’ll
have
Jo...guarantee his cooperation.†She sensed David’s smile.
“We can take my vehicle.â€
“We?†She slid a sideways glance at him.
“I’m going this time. You need me.â€
“And?â€
He paused a beat, then said, “I need this break.†He turned and looked
directly at her.
“It’s a long story that I’ll tell you when we’ve got a minute, but I was
telling you the truth about
trying to get evidence against Ennoren. I just didn’t tell you how much I was
looking for. Or why
I was doing it.â€
“Your sister?â€
“Only part of it.†He spotted Jo striding toward them, Sam, Vettine and
Breeanne on her
heels, and rushed to finish. “Kira, I have to go with you. You can trust me in
this.â€
Jo stepped up to them at that moment, but David continued to hold Kira’s
gaze, waiting
for an answer. She jerked her head in one affirmative gesture and turned her
full attention on Jo.
“Pat found out Daq is still alive,†Kira said, “so we’ve now got a retrieval
mission. Jo,
I’m sending you with Raf to hide out for the rest of the day after we’re
finished loading. I need
you to make sure he gets to the south wash just after sunset. Hold a blaster
to his head if you
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 79
have to.†At this, her second grinned, anticipation in her violet eyes.
“Sam,†Kira turned to the medic, “I’m gonna need you with us, in case Daq
needs
medical treatment.â€
“Absolutely,†the older man said.
Kira turned her attention to Vettine, her young face bright and anxious, and
Breeanne,
eyes clouded with guilt. She debated only a minute before saying, “You two are
with us. Find
Roger. I want him along, too.â€
“We won’t all fit in the sportster,†David said.
Kira ignored Jo’s sharp glare and the speculative looks from the others. “We
can’t take
your vehicle anyway,†she said, trying to keep her voice hard.
“Why?â€
She grimaced only a little when she said, “It needs some repairs.â€
“What kind of repairs?â€
“A whole new electronics system, and probably a whole new engine.â€
His lower jaw jutted out. “Why?†he asked through clenched teeth.
This time she did grimace. “I fried it with a command override code when we
were
running from the Leeches.â€
“You fried my sportster?†He bobbed his head, absorbing the information with
an air of
calm that made Kira nervous. “And is there some reason you didn’t use the
command card in my
pocket?â€
“Oops.†She tried to grin and failed. “You ordered the doors open by voice
command,â€
she snapped, trying to hide her guilt with anger. “How was I supposed to know
you had a
command card on you?â€
He bobbed his head again, stared down at his feet and let out a long, loud
breath. “Well,
then,†he looked up, “I guess we take your vehicle.†He grinned, wry and
forgiving.
Kira almost giggled with relief. “Jo,†she said, smiling up at David, “go
find Xep for me.
Say I need a vehicle, and that Daq is still alive. Breeanne, Vettine and Sam,
get Roger and then
get us some weapons. Multi-phase and back-ups. We’re going in loaded this
time. Tell Xep and
Pat to meet me in my computer room in the mansion. The rest of you join us
when you’re ready.
Jo, you’re in charge of making sure the rest of the gear and passengers are
loaded. And keep an
eye on Tygran.â€
“On my way.†Jo hesitated, looking as if she wanted to say more, then turned
and
disappeared into the ship. Kira took David’s hand and pulled him toward the
house. They had
some maps to look at. And one or two things to discuss.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 80
CHAPTER 14
The command board in Kira’s computer room hummed to life the instant she
entered and
identified herself. A huge screen opposite the board brightened. At her vocal
request, a map of
Capital and the surrounding suburbs was displayed on the huge screen. “Go to
holographic
emission. Mark SRC and GH in red,†she ordered. The screen cleared, and before
it a complex,
three-dimensional map of the city appeared; the two locations she requested
marked became
bright splotches within the blue map.
“Okay.†She turned to David who was busy studying the map. “In the time we
have
before the rest get here, you’re going to explain a few things to me.â€
David’s face hardened for a moment, his gaze turned inward. “This is
information that
could get more people than just me killed, Kira.â€
“I won’t breathe a word. I’m not too bad with secrets, you know.â€
His mouth stretched in a wry grin. “I’ve noticed.†But he remained silent for
a long time,
staring at the holographic map displayed opposite them. “Ennoren’s excesses
have been suspect
for a long time now,†he said finally. “Until the execution of the people
accused of the detector
plant bombing, though, it was always assumed that his vicious tendencies were
focused on
Shifters.â€
“And so they were excusable,†Kira said coldly.
“Yes.†He didn’t flinch at her snarl. “You have to remember, Kira, that most
people -
including a majority of the senators - believed the scientific ‘proof’
produced by the SRC. They
told themselves they had better things to do than worry about the way a few
Shifters were killed
or studied. It was all in the name of self-preservation and science.
“But after the executions, a few people began to see that Ennoren wasn’t just
a vicious
killer of Shifters. He’s a dangerous man. Unfortunately, he’s got a lot of
ties to a lot of highly
placed people both in and out of the government. Without hard evidence of
illegal activities on
his part, it was virtually impossible for those suspicious of him to get near
him, much less get
him out of the Guard.â€
“And so they sent you in.†Kira was beginning to think she understood.
“Because you
worked undercover for most of your career.â€
“And because I asked for the assignment. Getting it was a struggle, actually.
The senator
who decided to send in an undercover agent was afraid that it would be too
personal for me, and
that Ennoren would be suspicious of me from the start.†He shrugged. “I won
the arguments. It
took a couple of years to earn Ennoren’s trust - or at least enough of it to
get the transfer to his
squad approved.â€
“He’s a careful man, David. I’m surprised he trusts you even now.â€
“I...I did a few things, things I’m not proud of now but that were necessary
at the time, to
earn his trust.†He wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“You killed Shifters,†she breathed, feeling dizzy. She pressed one palm onto
the
computer block to steady herself.
He nodded. Then he looked into her eyes. “I didn’t know either, Kira. I
didn’t have any
reason to disbelieve the SRC reports. Even the rantings of my sister never
convinced me that the
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 81
Shifters were anything more than dangerous mimics and chameleons. At one time,
I fully
believed that they were a threat to human existence. And deep down, a part of
me blamed them
for my sister’s death.â€
“And now?†she asked, her voice quiet and rough.
“Now I know better. I can’t regret the job I’m doing, though, Kira. And
killing the
Shifters was a necessary part of this mission. If I get the proof I need, I
can stop Ennoren from
killing any more - people and Shifters.â€
She turned away from him, letting her head droop, her arms hanging at her
sides. “But
the exterminations will still be legal,†she murmured. “And there will always
be someone to
replace Eain. Someone just as vicious, just as scared of something he can’t
understand and can’t
control.†Her heart hurt. The man she loved had killed Shifters. She dropped
her head back and
stared up at the ceiling.
“If I didn’t think there was a chance of stopping the injustice, Kira, I
wouldn’t do this job.
But I believe there’s a chance. If I can get this one man out of a position of
power, then maybe
there’s a chance to change other things, too.â€
She shrugged, not optimistic about those changes. Humans were still humans,
in all their
good and bad forms. And for as many good people as there might be, there were
enough evil
people to balance them out. “I take it getting proof against Eain has been
difficult?†she asked,
trying to turn her thoughts from the knowledge that the man she’d fallen in
love with had killed
the very creatures she was racing to save. She turned so that she could see
him out of the corner
of her eye, but she couldn’t bring herself to look directly at him.
“He’s very good at covering his tracks,†David said. He leaned his hip
against the
computer block and stared down at his hands while he talked. “He hasn’t let
enough slip for me
to be able to arrest him and bring a case against him. At least, not in front
of me. But I’ve seen
enough to know that he does bypass the law when it suits him.â€
“He takes the exterminations very personally,†Kira murmured. “Considers the
Shifters
his nemesis. He’s terrified of things he can’t control, so he tries to destroy
them. I fell into that
category when I filed for a divorce.â€
David grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight. “He won’t hurt you, Kira. I
won’t allow
it.â€
She looked up at him, at the determination in his face. Not like Ennoren at
all, she
thought. A different kind of man entirely. It was hard for her to accept that
David had killed
Shifters; just thinking about it hurt her. But the admission changed something
between them. He
didn’t have to tell her that much, be that honest. He was trying to stop some
of the killings. Like
her, doing the best he could and accepting the consequences. He took his
risks.
She wasn’t proud of everything she’d done in the past. She’d made mistakes.
Some she
still found it hard to forgive herself for, like staying with Eain so long.
Like not stopping the
execution of those accused of the bombing. Could she forgive David his past?
Could she love
him despite what he’d done, knowing his ultimate goal was a good one? She
wasn’t sure. But if
she could forgive David, then maybe she would be able to forgive herself.
She smiled, a slow lifting of the lips that softened the creases in his brow;
then she
brought his hand to her mouth and kissed it softly. He exhaled, lifting the
hair from his forehead.
They remained by the computer block, hands clasped, even after the others
started to filter into
the room.
Voz and Xep were the first to join them. Pat was the last. He handed a disk
to David, and
David smiled with a predator’s fervor. The meeting was quick, the air charged
with anxiety and
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hope. Pat had uncovered the route, but also the biggest problem they would
face. Two identical
transports had been arranged, moving along two completely different paths.
Only Ennoren knew
which contained the Shifter. The final bit of information that Pat managed to
glean from the
message was that Ennoren wouldn’t be accompanying either group, as he had
other business to
attend to.
That bit made Kira’s heart thump faster. “Damn,†she muttered, staring down
at her fists
clenched against her thighs. “All right,†she said after a minute, looking up
at the group again, “I
suspect his other business has to do with me. That makes me and anyone with me
a walking
target.†She turned to the two Shifters, both of which had shifted to human
form for the meeting.
“Xep, I’d like to send two groups after the two different transports, and I’ll
want one of your line
with each group.†Xep agreed with a slight dip of the head and Kira continued.
“The first transport can be ambushed here the easiest.†She pointed to a spot
on the map.
“But they’ll be expecting that, so I want the first group to take the
transport here.†Again, she
pointed to a spot on the map, this one less easy to hide and attack from, but
not impossible. “The
second transport has the most difficult route to ambush, which makes me think
that Daq is in the
first. We’ll need to stop that second transport, anyway. Take them here.†She
stabbed her finger
into the hologram.
Then she turned back to look at her small group. “Weapons on stun. Higher
only if
absolutely necessary. I’d rather we didn’t have to kill to get Daq back. Sam,
because we don’t
know where Daq will be for sure, I want you with the first group. Breeanne,
you’ll lead the
second. Take Roger with you. Vettine, you’ll go with Sam.â€
“What about you?†Vettine asked, her voice rising a notch.
“I’m going to be playing decoy.â€
The room erupted into a series of protests, but Kira silenced them with a
raised hand.
“Ennoren is more than likely looking for me. He’s probably assumed I wouldn’t
come back to
my own house after yesterday, which is why it hasn’t been raided yet. But he
may be on his way
here even now.†She took a deep breath. “If I can distract him, it will give
all of you a much
better chance of saving Daq.â€
“How the hell are you planning to distract him?†Sam asked, his face creased
with a
frown.
“I might have an idea,†David said quietly. He turned to look at Kira. “But I
don’t think
they,†he jerked his head toward the rest of the group, “are going to like
it.â€
“There,†David said, cutting off the transmission. “It’s all arranged.†He
swiveled in the
chair he’d taken before Kira’s communications board and looked up at her.
“Did he believe you?†She stood at his shoulder looking into his upturned
face, golden
eyes narrowed and nervous. David’s gut twisted with those same nerves.
“I still think this is the stupidest idea...â€
“Sam,†Kira warned the medic, cutting off his tirade with a look. “I’ve heard
your
objections. The decision was mine. We all take our chances.†She looked back
at David.
David licked his lips and met her gaze. “He believed. At least enough to be
there. The
rough and hasty transmission helped, I think. The idea of catching you in the
act of sabotaging
SRC was a little more than he could resist.â€
“And you don’t think he’ll bring more than a couple of Guards?â€
“I don’t think he will. I suspect he’ll want all the glory for himself. It’s
the way he works.
He’s as vain as he is dangerous. There are only a handful of men he trusts
enough to take with
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him on something like this.†He took a deep breath before adding, “He may not
want this capture
to be made...public, either. I suspect he has plans for you, Kira. And if he
has to...bend the rules
to take you, he’s not going to want too many witnesses.â€
“But,†Breeanne stepped closer, hands fisted at her side, “why should he
believe that Kira
would willingly take you, of all people, on this type of thing?â€
They’d gone through all of the arguments earlier. David had hedged around
answering
that question. He still hadn’t told Kira everything. Should he tell her now?
In front of her people?
Would they agree to let her go with him if he told the truth? He knew Ennoren,
knew Kira was
the man’s weak spot. It would only take a little encouraging to get him to
slip, to get the
Commander to admit to, even boast about his ability to bend the law to his
will. Maybe push him
into going too far. But David needed Kira’s cooperation to make this work. If
he answered
Breeanne’s question, would Kira still agree to act as bait to his snare?
Kira startled him out of his thoughts when she answered Breeanne’s question
herself. She
kept her golden eyes on his face when she said, “Ennoren will believe because
this is what he
sent David in here to do. He sent him to me to earn my trust, to uncover my
secrets. Didn’t he?â€
This last was directed at David. He hesitated only a moment, not entirely
surprised by her
insight. It was one of the things he loved about her. “He did. He sent me to
find Kira, to earn her
trust, and to arrange to have her captured in the middle of committing an act
of terrorism.â€
“Chrissake, Kira,†Breeanne exploded. “You know this, and you’re still
trusting this
virtual stranger with your life?â€
Kira hadn’t taken her gaze from his face. “I know. And I do trust him with my
life.†Her
lips lifted, the faintest of smiles, and David felt like his heart would burst
out of his chest, it was
pounding so hard.
“Kira?†Xep’s quiet voice pulled her eyes from David’s face. David turned to
face the
Shifter also. Both Xep and the other Shifter had remained unusually quiet
during the outlining
and execution of David’s plan. He’d expected some kind of objection - from
Xep, at least.
“Kira,†Xep said again when her attention was focused on it, “we’ve been
discussing this.
The plan is dangerous. You will be risking your freedom and safety to decoy
Ennoren from the
rescue of Daq. If you’re killed, you’ll take the coordinates to Kierna’Rhoan
with you.â€
“I’ve thought of that, Xep,†she assured him. “I’ll make sure it’s left with
one of your
line. Jo will be able to help with the technical part of navigating. If I
don’t make the rendezvous
tonight, you’ll still be able to get away.â€
“I was sure you’d have a backup,†Xep told her with a faint smile. “That
wasn’t why I
spoke up. I, and two more of my line, will accompany you and David.†He shook
his head when
Kira opened her mouth. “We take our chances too, Kira. And you’ve sacrificed
more, given
more than you should have to protect us and our secrets. You are as of the
line. We protect our
own.â€
David looked at the Shifter in silent admiration, wondering not for the first
time how he -
how any of the humans - could have believed these creatures were primitive,
dangerous beasts.
Xep’s nobility shamed David. “It would be wise to have backup,†David told
Kira, touching her
arm. “But don’t forget, Ennoren will have detectors. It might be better to
have human backup.â€
“My line has ways around detectors, David,†Xep said, just above a whisper.
His gaze shot back to the blue-eyed Shifter. Then he looked up at Kira, brow
creased,
eyes questioning. She looked at Xep, her head tilted to one side. A silent
minute passed and Kira
nodded, her golden-brown eyes turning thoughtful. She looked at Breeanne and
said, “Select two
volunteers to go with the each raiding group. Make it clear this is volunteer
only. Voz and Syt
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 84
will go, one with each group.†She turned to David and said, “Xep and two more
of that line will
go with us. But first, there’s something we have to show you.â€
“Kira,†Sam said, desperation edging the older man’s voice, “take a couple
more people
with you. If Ennoren brings more than the two or three men he says he’ll
bring,†he glared at
David, “you’ll be in over your heads.â€
“I won’t risk more lives than necessary, Sam. If David says there’ll only be
four Guards
at the most with Ennoren, then I believe him. We can take out four Guards.â€
“I don’t like this at all,†Sam told her, stepping next to her and gripping
her shoulder.
“It’s too big a risk. We can rescue Daq without you facing Ennoren.â€
David watched nervously while Kira considered the medic’s words. A part of
him wanted
her to agree with Sam. If she got on that ship with Tygran, she’d be safe from
Ennoren’s
obsessive rage and hate. She’d also be out of David’s life forever. But she
would be safe, and
there was some satisfaction in knowing that she would be happily living
somewhere in the
universe, out of Ennoren’s reach. David could always find another way to get
the proof he
needed to stop Ennoren.
But Kira was David’s best chance at ending this thing with Ennoren. If she
helped him
now, he could put to rest a mission that had weighed on him for more than
three years. And with
the mission finished...He cut off that hope-filled thought before it could
form. He didn’t want to
accept losing Kira, but he refused to fool himself into believing they had a
chance at a future
together. When the chance failed, he would hurt that much more for hoping.
He stood, bracing himself for whatever decision she made. Her golden eyes
caught his
gaze, held it as she said, “If Ennoren is occupied with trying to take me, he
won’t be worrying
about what’s happening with Daq. You’ll be able to get Daq and get to the
Ebisu without the
entire Guard on your butts.†She smiled and looked back at Sam. “And before
the first moon
rises tonight, that ship will be leaving the atmosphere, clearance accepted,
detector ring safely
behind you, no alarms raised by Commander Ennoren. I’ll see to that.â€
There was an edge to her voice when she said the last sentence, a quality
that made David
look more closely at her profile. All he saw was determination and
self-assurance. He pushed
aside his own uncertainty and squared his shoulders. She’d made her decision.
Now it was up to
him to make sure their risk paid off.
“Okay,†Kira said, exhaling, “it’s about time we set things in motion. Xep,
David and I
will meet you in the Creek Cavern. I’ll leave it to you to choose the one you
want entrusted with
the destination coordinates.â€
Xep nodded and shifted back to its natural form before leaving with the
others. Vettine,
the last to leave, rushed to Kira and hugged her fiercely, whispering
something in her ear before
following the rest. Kira stared after her, a mixture of sadness and tenderness
softening her
features. David took her hand, squeezed it. “You sure you want to do this?†he
asked now that
she didn’t have to be a leader in front of her people.
“Yes.†She squeezed his hand in return and said, “Now, I need a quick bite to
eat and
then there’s something you need to see.†She started for the door, but David
pulled her back into
his arms and kissed her, deep and soft. The way she melted against him made
his pulse race. He
pushed her back, resisting the urge to kiss her again when she looked up at
him with eyes heavy-
lidded from desire. “What was that for?†she murmured.
“I needed it,†he told her. “Now, let’s get you some food.â€
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David had only vague memories of the narrow cavern room where he’d first
entered
Kira’s complex. Brief flashes of stone ceilings and a lot of people were all
he could remember.
That, and his first sight of the Shifters.
This time, he took in the room more closely. It didn’t change the shaky
images already in
his mind much. It was simply a long, narrow cavern hewn from the rocks of the
mountain. The
floor was paved, a smooth transfer from the road outside, and a command board
was set into one
wall. Opposite that was a huge retractable door that split in the middle, one
half going into the
roof, the other into the floor. The rest was stone.
“Where’d you put my vehicle?†he asked, pacing the length of the room.
“It’s out getting repaired.†Kira smiled at his startled glance. “I’ve got a
friend who’s
willing to do these sorts of repairs quietly and off the Guard-monitored
records.â€
“Why are you bothering to fix it?†He strolled back toward her, taking even,
measured
steps.
“I broke it,†she chuckled. “So I should fix it. Besides, I thought you might
need it when
we let you out.†She watched him closing the space between them with narrowed
eyes.
“Unfortunately, it’s not ready yet. But I’ll arrange to have it left somewhere
for you.â€
“You spend a lot of time arranging things, Kira.†He stopped at arm’s length.
“Someone has to.â€
“You don’t have to arrange everything.†He took one step closer to her, and
she backed
off one step.
“Who else will, if I don’t?â€
“Jo. Pat. Sam. You’ve got a compound full of capable people here.â€
“But I’m their leader. They look to me to arrange things and solve things,
and to make
sure everything works out right.â€
“And when it doesn’t?†He moved closer.
She retreated again. “Then they look to me to fix the mistakes. Look, David,
if you think
I get some sort of kick out of always being in charge, you’re wrong. I do it
because I have to, and
because I’m capable of doing it. I’d be perfectly happy to sit back and let
someone else make all
the decisions.â€
“Would you?†He pulled her into his arms, preventing her from retreating any
more, and
kissed her.
“David,†she pressed against his chest to put some space between them,
dragging her lips
from his insistent mouth, “Xep will be here any minute. We’ve got things to
do.â€
“And?†he asked, eyebrows raised.
“And, we don’t have time for this right now.â€
“There’s not much time left for us, period, Kira,†he reminded her, stroking
the back of
her head. “I want to take advantage of every moment.â€
She stopped trying to push away from him, and he reclaimed her mouth. He
reveled in
the taste of her, the soft feel of her body pressed against his. He ran his
tongue over her teeth,
toyed with her tongue, tried to memorize the scent of her, the taste of her,
everything about her.
He wanted more, felt himself hardening, but knew they didn’t have time. So he
took what he
could, enjoying her response as he held her and kissed her.
They didn’t break their kiss until a quiet cough interrupted them. “Sorry,â€
Xep said. The
Shifter had formed a mouth in an otherwise unshifted head, and that mouth was
grinning.
David shrugged off the Shifter’s amusement, but Kira’s cheeks reddened. That
made
David grin.
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“If you two are through being smug,†she said primly, “there’re still things
that need to be
done.†She pulled David’s arm, tugging him against one of the cavern walls and
said to Xep, “I
suppose this will be easiest if you just show him.â€
Xep nodded, stepped to the middle of the room, and shifted.
It took David a full minute to realize that he’d just witnessed the
impossible. Yet again.
He had thought he’d seen a lot, learned a lot since coming here. But
this...This was...Impossible.
“How?†he muttered without looking away from the purple sportster now resting
in the
middle of the cavern.
“Evolution in progress,†Kira murmured. She squeezed his arm, trying to get
his full
attention, but David’s astonished gaze kept returning to the replica of his
vehicle. “Xep’s line has
evolved, David. They can shift to non-organic forms like machines. Fully
functional machines.â€
“Impossible,†David muttered. Then he looked down at her. “They’re only
supposed to
be able to shift to organic forms. When did this happen?â€
“Just under ten years ago.†The answer came from Xep. David’s head swiveled
to the
Shifter, once again in natural form but for the mouth beneath whirling
blue-green eyes. “A few
years after the invention of the detectors. Before that, we could hide from
the exterminators well
enough. After the detectors, hiding became considerably more difficult.
“The change took place in some of us who were already here, in my line, and
it held in all
those of the line that followed. We’ve always been able to adapt quickly.
Hiding, camouflage,
was the reason we evolved the ability to shift in the first place. The
invention of detectors to find
us even when shifted forced another evolutionary step. As machines, metallic
forms of any kind,
we can’t be identified with the detectors. So we can survive.â€
“But how come no one knows? Even Ennoren?†David found himself staring at
Xep’s
shape with renewed awe. Could the creature he was looking at now really shift
into a vehicle? A
working, moving, get-inside-and-drive vehicle?
“We’ve worked very hard to keep this new adaptation a secret,†Kira said.
“That’s why
I’m taking them off-planet. The adaptation may appear in other lines soon. But
the longer it’s
kept a secret, the better chance the Shifters will have at survival. If I can
safely get Xep and his
line to a new home without their new trait being discovered, then it will be
that much longer
before SRC develops some way of finding them when shifted into non-organic
form.â€
“That doesn’t help the organic-only Shifters, though. The ones you’re leaving
behind,†he
said, his voice coming out sharper than he’d intended. He wasn’t trying to
accuse. He was just
still in shock.
“No,†she whispered, “it won’t help them.†She took a long breath. “But I had
to accept a
long time ago that I wouldn’t be able to save all of them. I can’t get the
organic Shifters off-
planet. The detector rings at the launch fields prevent Shifters from being
smuggled out. With
Xep’s line, I can get at least some Shifters to a haven and the Shifters can
survive as a species.
Maybe as more lines evolve...â€
“Kira,†Xep interrupted her softly, “don’t.†The quiet rebuke was touched
with a
compassion that made Kira drop her gaze to the ground.
And David understood. Even with all of her effort, all of the stress, all of
the
responsibility that Kira took on, she still thought she was failing them.
David’s chest tightened at
the thought of her pain, her feeling of helplessness and inadequacy. He knew
those feelings too
well. After his sister was killed, he’d felt that pain and helplessness like a
blaster shot. Over the
last three years, having to work for the man who was responsible for Tina’s
death and still not
being able to stop him, David had grown much too familiar with that sense of
inadequacy, too.
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He hated to think of Kira doing that to herself. But he couldn’t even figure
out how to
overcome the guilt himself, so he did the only thing he could think to do. He
took her into his
arms and hugged her close. “You’re doing more than anyone could expect, love,â€
he murmured
into her hair. “And in the end, it will be something that counts.â€
Her shoulders rose and fell with each shaky breath. She kept her face pressed
against his
shoulder for a long moment. When she stood away from him, however, her eyes
were dry.
“Thanks,†she breathed. “Okay, Xep,†her voice rose as she turned to the
Shifter, “are the others
ready?â€
Xep was silent for a moment, then said, “They’re on the way now, Kira.â€
“Good. We’ve got a predator to decoy.â€
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CHAPTER 15
Kira tapped the dash of the sportster, trying to diffuse her restless energy.
A questioning
“feel†in her mind reminded her that the vehicle was Xep. She stopped tapping,
apologized to the
Shifter and readjusted herself in the seat. She glanced over to see David
grinning at her. “What?â€
she demanded.
“We still have time, Kira. If you don’t stop fidgeting, you’re going to drive
Xep and me
insane.â€
She stuck out her bottom lip and looked out the window, ignoring his chuckle.
They were
concealed behind a thick stand of succulent bushes and short, leafy palms, the
road to SRC
clearly visible beyond the palms. “I hate waiting,†she mumbled. It wasn’t so
much the waiting,
and she knew it. What she hated was not knowing whether Daq and the others
were all right.
And she wasn’t real pleased with the idea of having to face Ennoren again,
either. Not after the
last time.
She turned in the seat again, hoping for a comfortable position. When she
didn’t find one,
she turned the other way.
“Kira,†David said, exasperated, “sit still. Undercover work takes patience.â€
“I’m used to doing things,†she grumbled. “When there’s something to be done,
I do it. I
don’t sit around waiting to do it.â€
“Waiting is what being a decoy is all about.†He reached over and squeezed
her knee.
“But I’m sure we could find a way to pass the time.â€
“No,†she told him sternly, “and don’t even consider it.â€
“Consider what?â€
“I know what that look in your eyes means. No. Not now.â€
“When better?†He leaned across the seat so that their faces were inches
apart. His breath
was warm against her mouth. Without her permission, her gaze dropped to his
lips, then flicked
back to his eyes.
“No,†she repeated but with less conviction.
“Yes.†He covered her mouth with his and silenced further refusal.
She relaxed under the tantalizing pressure of his lips, kissing him in return
after a brief
attempt at resistance. When he pulled away, she reached for him, curling her
hands in his thick
hair and pulling his face back toward her. He stopped just short of kissing
her again. “What were
you like as a child?†he startled her by asking. Rough fingers caressed her
cheek while he studied
her face, waiting for her answer.
“I was...happy. I laughed a lot. I liked people, liked talking to anyone who
would talk
with me.â€
“Did you play outdoors or indoors?â€
“Both.†She grinned. “I brought home enough skinned knees to worry my birth
mother. I
had a habit of climbing trees along the walls bordering the estate so I could
talk with the
neighbors. That resulted in a few irate calls to my parents. They accused me
of being nosy.†She
opened her eyes wide and hitched one shoulder. “I never understood it.â€
David laughed and dropped a kiss onto her lips. “I use to love climbing
trees, too. But I
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did it to get away from people.â€
“Why?â€
His brow creased. “I was always more comfortable alone.†He shrugged.
“Obviously, I
got over it.â€
“Obviously.â€
David grinned, then flicked a glance at his watch. “See, we’ve managed to get
through a
quarter of an hour without you fidgeting. That wasn’t so hard, was it?â€
“Is that why you’re good at undercover work? Patience?â€
“One of the reasons.â€
“You’ve had to be patient pursuing Eain?â€
“Yes. That’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do on a job.†He
looked out the
front window at the palms edging the road. “Maybe because this case is more
personal than any
other I’ve worked on.â€
Kira squeezed his forearm and kissed his cheek. “We’ll get the information
you need,
David.†She tried to sound more assured than she felt. She couldn’t predict
what Ennoren would
do when he “discovered†her and David rigging a power line leading into the
Shifter Research
Center so that it would, supposedly, cause a massive power surge, disabling
the entire Center.
She hadn’t forgotten David’s warning that Ennoren would kill him if he
suspected Kira had
taken him to her bed. And since then, she’d done so much more than simply take
him into her
bed. She’d taken David into her heart. Only two nights ago, she thought in
wonder. It seemed
years now. And only moments.
“If the Shifters can change to machines, why don’t they shift to spaceships
and fly off-
planet themselves?â€
Kira frowned at the question and quick change of subject. It took her a
moment to
process what he’d asked. “They can’t do without an oxygen atmosphere anymore
than we can,â€
she answered finally, “without some protection. Their cells are still exposed
to the environment
even when they’re shifted.â€
“Are you sure?†David moved closer, his voice dropping, his look intense. “If
they could
fly off-planet themselves, then there would be no reason for you to go.â€
“They can’t.†She shook her head when he started to speak. “They can’t,
David.†Her
eyes misted. Blinking, she cleared away the threat of tears. “One already
tried,†she whispered.
“That one died. It wasn’t a death I would wish on my worst enemy.â€
He cupped her cheek, smoothing his thumb over her skin, just beneath her eye.
“Besides,†she said, meeting the sorrow in his dark gaze, “Ennoren would still
track me down
here. Things have gone too far now. I can’t stay anymore.â€
“I don’t want to let you go,†he murmured.
Her heart twisted painfully in her chest and sound caught in her throat,
choking and thick.
She opened her mouth to speak but closed it again, unable to voice the
emotions overwhelming
her.
David pulled her into the circle of his arms, nestling her head beneath his
chin. They sat,
holding each other, the pounding of their heartbeats the only sound, until the
faint whispery
voice of a Shifter woke Kira from her bittersweet embrace.
Kira, Gry said again when she didn’t answer.
Yes. She pulled back from David so that she could sit up straight. She stared
at the road,
afraid to look into his face again.
A Guard vehicle passed Brc two minutes ago, and has just passed me. We’ll
join you in a
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moment.
Thanks, Gry, Kira thought. Then aloud, “They’ve just seen a Guard vehicle
pass. Should
be here any minute.â€
David nodded and moved back behind the wheel of the sportster. The Guard
transport
passed a few minutes later. It was a small vehicle. Only large enough to hold,
at most, five
people. Kira flicked a glance at David and smiled humorlessly.
When the transport was past their hiding spot, David edged the sportster out
from cover
and eased it back to the road. Gry stepped from the opposite side of the road,
the last traces of
bird feathers folding back into the Shifter’s natural skin. Brc appeared a few
feet farther down
the road. Sliding into the back seat of the sportster, Gry said, I could only
see two in the front
seat. But Commander Ennoren was one of them.
“Perfect,†Kira growled. “Ennoren is in the Guard transport,†she told David.
“Time to
set a trap.†She looked at him, holding his dark eyes to hers. “You know what
you’re going to do
yet?â€
“Not a clue until it happens.†He grinned, cocky and assured. “Just kidding,
pretty eyes.
I’ve got a plan. But it’s an adaptable plan.â€
“Gonna let me in on any of it?â€
He shook his head. “I need you to react naturally. Don’t worry. I won’t let
anything
happen to you. You’ve got a blaster?â€
“Yeah, but I don’t see Eain letting me stand there without having me searched
for
weapons.â€
“You’re right. He’ll search you for a weapon, and I want him to find one.
Brc,†David
looked over his shoulder into the back seat, “could you shift to a bracelet or
something
inconspicuous, but that Kira can wear? I need you to stay close to her hand
and, if she needs you
to, shift to a blaster.â€
The Shifter nodded its golden head, not bothering with a half-shift to speak.
“David,†Kira said, “they can’t kill. Brc will only be able to stun.â€
“Doesn’t matter. I want to take Ennoren alive.â€
They edged up to the area where the power conduit was supposed to be,
holographically
disguised among the bluegrass and shrubbery circling the perimeter of SRC.
Kira lifted a palm-
sized portable computer and entered the code Pat had given her. The hologram
winked out,
leaving the power conduit exposed.
She sent out a silent word of thanks to the hacker, then set to work removing
the
conduit’s outer casing while David set down two titanium-lined steel boxes
next to her. She
ignored his careful scanning of the surroundings until she’d removed the
casing, exposing the
multi-colored wires and a series of processor chips. Then she glanced up at
him, hoping her
anxiety didn’t show in anything but her eyes.
The late afternoon was bright with autumn sun, and though the conduit was
located in a
secluded and shaded spot, Kira felt exposed. Absently, she wondered if she
would have risked
coming out in the middle of the day if she’d really intended to disable SRC.
Probably, she
thought as David handed her a bypass wire link from one of the boxes. Daytime
sabotage would
be unexpected.
She began the laborious process of hooking up the bypass links, her gut
clenched and
twisted. She could feel Ennoren’s gaze on the back of her neck. Tiny prickles
danced over her
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flesh and along her spine, requiring every ounce of her self-control to keep
from shaking. She
nearly dropped one of the links and had to firm her grip and slow her
breathing. David stood
silently behind her, no outward sign that he was anything but an accomplice to
the sabotage. She
understood his distance. He could probably feel Ennoren’s gaze, too.
Why isn’t he stopping us? Kira thought as she finished the last bypass link.
What is he
waiting for? She knew he was there, knew he was watching somewhere nearby.
She’d dealt with
this tension before, the anxiety of facing an unpredictable opponent. But it
was worse this time.
So much harder to maintain her control.
A bead of sweat broke out on her forehead as she accepted a laser pen and a
trap locator
from David. If Ennoren didn’t stop this soon, she would end up disabling SRC
whether she liked
it or not. She wasn’t at all happy with the idea. Disabling SRC systems might
have dangerous
consequences, could even cost lives if the wrong systems shut down. She hadn’t
been working
for the last four and a half years to destroy lives; she wanted to save them.
The laser pen and locator poised before the conduit, she hesitated. How much
farther did
David expect her to go? She moved the pen closer but couldn’t bring herself to
activate the laser.
The faint whisper of a breeze through palm fronds and high-pitched bird trills
were the only
sounds in the cool afternoon. Under the earthy scent of soil and moist grass,
she detected a hint
of tobacco and spice from the man behind her.
“Kira?†David’s voice came quiet but insistent, urging her to continue even
as it
questioned her hesitancy.
Pressing her lips together, she ran the trap locator over a purple wire. When
the locator
remained silent, she set the tip of the laser pen against the end of the wire
where it connected
with a processor chip. “Try the green wire first,†David breathed, his voice
barely audible above
the sound of the breeze and birds.
She shook inside, but her hands remained steady as she ran the locator over
the green
wire. When she set the pen tip against the wire’s insertion point into the
processor, David
remained silent. Kira engaged the laser. A momentary spark whitened, then
faded away. The
connection between wire and processor had melted, the chip itself fused into a
useless lump. She
took a deep breath, held it, let it out slowly, and ran the locator over
another wire.
“I didn’t think you’d go through with it in the end,†a too-familiar voice
broke the
silence. Kira spun, dropping the locator and only barely managing to hold onto
the laser pen.
Ennoren stepped out from the cover of the shrubs, his blue eyes glittering
with a light that made
Kira’s breathing stop. “I had always assumed there were some limits to your
excesses, dearest.
But I suppose I was wrong about that, too.â€
Four Guards moved out from the bushes, blasters raised and trained on Kira
and David.
Ennoren nodded to one of the men and he stepped forward to search for weapons.
The man was
Kira’s height, though broadly built and of a much paler complexion. He took
the laser pen from
her hand, tossed it to the grass beyond her reach, then looked her over, his
gaze slow and
assessing.
His mouth quirked up at one corner when he began running his hands over
Kira’s legs.
She focused her gaze straight ahead, trying to ignore the way the man’s gloved
hands lingered on
her bottom and then again on her breasts. If Ennoren wanted her humiliated, he
was going to
have to work harder than that.
The Guard plucked her blaster from her utility belt after a thorough, and
degrading, body
search. He ran a detector over her, David, and the equipment that they’d
brought with them.
When finished, he took a final moment to leer at her, flicked a negligent look
at David, and
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walked back to Ennoren carrying her blaster on his palm like a present.
Ennoren took the
weapon, inspected it. His expression, thoughtful and indifferent, never
changed as he fired the
blaster, at full power, into the Guard’s face.
Deafening silence followed the sound of the shot. The remaining three Guards
were
wide-eyed but held their positions, their own weapons never turning from Kira.
Kira’s lips parted
with an astonished exhale. Her first reaction was a shock too deep to allow
other feelings. Her
second was pure, unadulterated fear.
But she wasn’t afraid for herself.
Staring into Ennoren’s callous blue eyes, she knew that David hadn’t been
exaggerating
about the man’s willingness to kill anyone that got close to her. He didn’t
kill the Guard because
it would hurt her, or because he felt some distorted form of chivalry. Ennoren
killed the man for
groping her. He killed him because he could.
She knew then that if Ennoren suspected David of so much as touching her, he
wouldn’t
hesitate to kill him. Panic bubbled up in her throat and clenched her gut. For
precious moments,
she couldn’t think through the haze of fear. Ennoren stepped to within arm’s
length before she
realized he’d moved.
His still-indifferent gaze fell on David. Kira’s hands fisted at her sides as
she worked to
maintain control against the threatening panic. If she reacted wrong now, it
would cost both her
and David their lives. For one tense and silent moment, Ennoren studied David.
Kira didn’t dare
turn to look into David’s face, to see what expression he showed Ennoren. And
she could read
nothing in her ex-husband’s eyes.
“Well?†Ennoren said at last, his emotionless stare turning amused. “Am I to
assume you
have more evidence, beyond this criminal act, after your days in the
underground, Officer
Cario?â€
“Maps, command override codes, surveillance vid of the Shifters, keys to
government
and private communication codes,†David paused. “And the location of their
hidden complex.
Sir.â€
Kira sucked in a breath. David’s voice was cold and methodical. Still afraid
to look at
him, she barely recognized the deep voice next to her.
Her reaction swung Ennoren’s gaze back to her. The corners of his mouth edged
up. Still
looking at her face, he asked David, “And the location of the complex?â€
“Southeastern edge of Capital. Beneath the new vehicle parts factory.â€
“David!†She couldn’t stop the outburst, couldn’t keep from turning to face
him. He’d
just given Ennoren and three of his Guards the location to the new complex,
the group that would
take over after hers had left. She couldn’t even guess how he’d gotten the
information. The
location was known to only a few people, and had been carefully left out of
all computer logs.
He didn’t flinch at her outburst. His face was set, the scar on his jaw
still, his eyes
focused straight ahead, his stance stiff-backed and formal. Confusion lurked
at the edge of her
quickly deteriorating self-control. Was this part of his plan? Or had he
really just betrayed her?
After everything that had been said, everything that had passed between them?
She couldn’t
reconcile the face she stared up at now with the man that had kissed her and
held her less than
half an hour ago.
Ennoren’s rumbling laughter pierced her, mocked her, but she couldn’t look
away from
David’s profile. Ennoren dropped an arm across her shoulders, his hand nestled
against her neck.
“He’s good, isn’t he?†he asked in her ear, hot breath stroking her cheek. His
free hand rose to
her lips, lining the bottom with steady sweeps of his thumb, his eyes burning
into the side of her
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face.
And then she saw David’s scar jump, watched the brief flicker of his gaze to
Ennoren’s
hand. Her heart thudded in her chest. She knew Ennoren could feel her pulse
where his hand
rested against her neck. He would assume the throbbing was caused by fear and
outrage.
Betrayal.
He would be wrong.
She turned away from David, averting her eyes in what she hoped would appear
a
defeated gesture, and concentrated on slowing her breathing. She didn’t try to
hide the harsh,
stuttering quality of those deep breaths, however.
“Poor Kira,†Ennoren purred, moving back to the line of his men. “You know, I
didn’t
think you’d trust him so quickly. That wasn’t very bright of you, my dear.
You’ve been able to
outrun me for years now. I considered you a worthy adversary.†He faced them,
his head cocked
to one side. “Officer Cario must be very good indeed.â€
Kira’s head snapped up, eyes flashing at the underlying tone in his voice.
“Did he tell you about his sister?†Ennoren continued conversationally. He
motioned two
of the Guards to retrieve the equipment at Kira’s feet and return it to the
vehicle. The third kept
his weapon leveled at a spot between Kira and David, as easy to fire one way
as the other. “He
must have mentioned Tina. That would have softened you.†Ennoren nodded as if
confirming
something. “She was a lovely girl. Completely innocent, as it turned out. I
understand they had
the remains cremated.†He looked directly at her. “Not enough left for a
coffin.â€
Kira felt her knees weakening. She flexed her leg muscles in an attempt to
coerce them
into supporting her weight. She swallowed hard against the rage and disgust
building in her.
Ennoren chuckled and paced closer to the remaining Guard. The man stiffened,
but didn’t alter
his stance or his firm grip on the blaster.
“He leave that part out?†Ennoren asked. “Well, I imagine just knowing she
was one of
the people I executed would have earned him a place with your group. Useful
bit of history. Did
he mention his association with Senator Rodriguez?†He stopped just behind the
remaining
Guard and pursed his lips. “Rodriguez isn’t all that fond of me, Kira. He
thinks I take the law
into my own hands too often. He isn’t out here, dealing with the chaos I deal
with. He doesn’t
understand.†He shrugged. “Not that it matters now.â€
At her frown, he said, “You didn’t hear? Senator Rodriguez was killed last
night. Seems
he was attacked by a band of Leeches. Just outside the Docks. That story has a
familiar ring to it,
doesn’t it?â€
Kira’s knees buckled under this blow. She stumbled a step forward before
regaining her
balance.
Ennoren’s gaze flicked briefly to David, then focused on her again. “Leeches
can be very
cooperative mutants when motivated. Ready with information, for a price. Could
never convince
them to fire a blaster, though. Jones there,†he nodded to the man he’d shot
through the face,
“was a better choice when I needed blaster and tracking work done. Usually
good about snap
decisions.â€
He glanced at the dead man, then back at Kira, perfectly at ease. “I
suspect,†he continued
in that same conversational tone, as if discussing some irrelevant news item,
“it will be
discovered that another anti-government group was responsible for motivating
the Leeches to
attack Rodriguez. You know how Leeches are. They need a reason to attack if
there’s a chance
they might get caught.â€
“You...You had a senator killed?†Kira choked on the words, but forced them
out. She’d
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known for years that Ennoren was vicious, and that he bent the law to suit his
whims, but to kill a
senator...He’d gone beyond what even she suspected. And if she understood his
innuendo,
Senator Rodriguez was the man who’d sent David into Ennoren’s squad
undercover. The
realization was a bolt of lightening sizzling through her system, hissing the
warning that David
was in danger.
Ennoren raised both eyebrows in mock surprise. “Me? Would I do something like
that?â€
He smiled. “But of course, you don’t understand the complexities of my job,
either. The
pressures placed on me by some of the senators. I’m responsible for a lot,
Kira. I keep this planet
safe from the Shifters, and from people like you. People who would subvert the
order of things.
And if a senator or two gets in my way, then it’s also for the good of the
planet to eliminate
them.â€
“The Lord High Senator would never have approved...â€
“That idiot!†Ennoren exploded and the Guard standing in front of him
flinched. “He
can’t see the undercurrents ripping at his own household nonetheless bring
order to the chaos
looming over an entire planet.†His lips curled up in a snarl, his fists
clenched. Lowering his
head and closing his eyes, Kira watched as he fought for self-control.
Her gaze jumped to the laser pen, laying in the grass only a few yards away.
But the
Guard altered the nose of his blaster so that it pointed meaningfully at her
chest.
“Enough,†Ennoren muttered harshly, his head still bowed. “You and your
entire group of
alien smugglers will be taken before the High Courts, Kira.†He looked up
again. “Or shall I
keep you out of it? I’m sure an arrangement could be reached.â€
Her breathing came fast and shallow as she glared at him, snarling her answer
when her
voice failed her.
“Very well,†he hissed. “You’ll die like the rest of them. And it won’t be
pleasant, Kira.
It...â€
A muffled grunt from the direction of the Guard transport stopped Ennoren
midsentence.
He listened a minute, then pulled Kira’s blaster from its place in the front
of his utility belt.
“You,†he said to the remaining Guard, “check up on the others. I’ll make sure
these two stay
where they are.â€
The Guard disappeared into the surrounding shrubbery. “Did you bring backups
after
all?†Ennoren asked, motioning vaguely with the blaster. “Shifters? Wouldn’t
that be an irony!
But I checked the area before you arrived. If they’re out there, they must
have followed behind
you. Very good, Kira.†One side of his mouth crooked upward. “Maybe I didn’t
overestimate
your abilities after all.â€
“Commander?†David’s voice captured Ennoren’s attention, pulling it away from
Kira
for a brief, blessed moment. “Was Jones the one that shot me? Outside the
Docks?â€
Ennoren grinned. “Of course. A brilliant piece of improvisation on the man’s
part. Perfect
way to get you on the inside. Kira would have been a cold bitch indeed to
leave you bleeding and
defenseless against the Leeches.†He looked back at Kira. “Has she shown you
how tender and
caring she can pretend to be, Officer Cario?â€
When David didn’t answer, Ennoren flicked him a brief, speculative glance,
then focused
his attention on Kira again. All three fell silent, waiting. The Guard
returned a few minutes later.
He shrugged, shaking his head. “Nothing,†he said. “The other two are waiting
in the transport.â€
Ennoren looked at the man through narrowed eyes, his mouth drawn out to a
thin line.
“Well. Then I suppose we should be going.†He looked into Kira’s eyes. “After
one final
problem is eliminated.â€
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Before Kira could react, Ennoren turned the blaster and fired.
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CHAPTER 16
Ennoren stared at the young Guard for a minute after he’d fallen, a gaping
hole where his
chest had been. The man’s dark eyes were still wide, though clouded and
lifeless. Ennoren’s
brow creased. “Hmm,†he muttered. “Perhaps I did overestimate your talents, my
dear.†Another
shrug of indifference.
“Now,†he faced Kira and David again. “I think it’s time we left. I’ve got an
anti-
government complex to raid.†He smiled, turned his back on them and began
walking in the
direction of the transport. Kira’s gaze flicked to the laser pen again. She
stepped forward.
Ennoren turned around. Their eyes locked.
Kira felt David at her shoulder and wondered what he would do, if he had a
plan. Would
he allow Ennoren to take her all the way to GH? Would Ennoren even take her to
General
Headquarters?
“Yesterday,†Ennoren said, his voice low, “I thought, for one instant, that
you would kill
me. It was a shock to realize you had that in you, Kira. You’ve never killed
anyone before, have
you?â€
“No.â€
“Would you like to now?â€
Her brow furrowed. “What?â€
Ennoren nodded to David. “He betrayed you. He’s responsible for your capture
and the
future destruction of your entire group. I’d want to kill him if I were you.â€
“We’ve always been different about our approach to life, Eain.†She pressed
her lips
together in an attempt to keep them from trembling.
“True.†He paused, licked his lips, his gaze flickering over her. “What would
drive you to
kill, I wonder? Destroying a Shifter? That almost pushed you to kill.†He
looked at David.
“Would killing your lover push you all the way?â€
The shots were fired seconds apart, even before Kira realized Ennoren had
raised his
blaster. She screamed, startled as much as scared, and turned. David had gone
down on one knee,
his side to Ennoren, his head bowed. She dropped to her knees beside him,
hands on his
shoulders. “David?â€
“Just my arm,†he muttered, and she heard the pain in his voice.
Her head swung back toward Ennoren. The tree just to the left of his head had
a blaster
hole in it. He hadn’t moved. “Why?†she growled.
“I did it for you, my dear. He betrayed you.â€
“You betrayed me.â€
“Did I? Should I turn the blaster on myself?†He chuckled.
“Damn you, Eain.â€
He cocked his head to one side. “Move out of the way, Kira.†When she
remained where
she was, half blocking David, Ennoren shouted, “Move!â€
“No.â€
“It wasn’t bad enough that he was sent into my squad to spy on me, to try to
stop me
when what I do is for the good. But he had to have you, too. He did, didn’t
he? I warned him, but
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he seduced you anyway.â€
“Maybe I seduced him.†Kira stood, moving fully in front of David.
“Kira,†David whispered, “don’t.â€
She ignored him, her attention entirely on her ex-husband now. Ennoren’s face
was
contorted with rage, sharpening the already harsh angles of his face,
narrowing his eyes to slits,
thinning his mouth to an imperceptible line in his face. She never looked
away. His anger lashed
out at her in near-tangible waves. She faced it, and prepared for what was to
come.
“Do you love him?†Ennoren whispered.
“Yes.â€
He raised the blaster, pointing it at her chest. She lifted her chin, flexed
her right forearm
and raised her hand. The bracelet circling her wrist shifted to a blaster. A
blaster she pointed at
Ennoren. He stared at the weapon, frowning.
“Either Jones didn’t search you as thoroughly as he should have - and I doubt
that very
much - or...†His eyes widened. “No. It’s not possible.â€
“Of course it is, Eain,†she said. “Anything is possible.â€
“No!†He straightened his arm and fired.
Too late.
Kira watched him crumble to the ground, watched the blood that sprayed from
his chest
and mouth. Nothing. She looked at the body of a man that had once been her
husband, and she
felt nothing.
She loosened her hold on the blaster, then gently set it on the ground. Brc
shifted back to
natural state, eyes whirling a wild purple. But when it looked away from the
body, its eyes
softened and blues and greens swirled back in with the purple. Kira looked at
the Shifter, sad but
understanding. In the moments before she’d fired, she’d wanted Ennoren dead.
With every cell
in her body, she’d wanted the blaster to fire a killing blow - to keep him
from revealing what
he’d just discovered about the Shifters. And though it hurt, she knew Brc had
wanted the same.
The line’s secret was safe again.
“Kira?†David stood and Kira rushed to help him. His left forearm was
bleeding, the
edges blackened from the force of the blaster. His face was pale. He looked at
the dead man, then
to the Shifter. “Thank you,†he said.
Brc bowed its head.
Crunching brush and branches swung their attention back to the shrubbery
behind
Ennoren’s body. The two remaining Guards stepped out, looking from Ennoren to
Kira, Brc and
David. Kira held her breath.
“If you’re smart,†David said, “you’ll throw out your weapons. Maybe you’ll
only get
accessory to treason.â€
The Guards looked at each other. “I don’t think that will be necessary.†And
then they
shifted - Gry to natural form, Xep to natural form but for a mouth.
“The Guards?†Kira asked when the two Shifters had joined them.
“Dead,†Xep confirmed.
“I’m sorry.â€
“Evolution in progress.â€
She could only nod.
Xep turned whirling eyes to the deepening blue of the sky. “We should go if
we want to
make the rendezvous.â€
“Yes.†Kira secured her hold on David’s waist, then led the way back to the
road.
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At the roadside, David stopped and turned her to face him. He looked deep in
to her eyes,
a crease forming between his brow. He opened his mouth, closed it, swallowed
audibly, and tried
again. “Kira...Thank you.†He leaned over and kissed her, so gently it hurt
her heart. “Take care
of yourself.â€
Her chest constricted and her mouth dried. She clutched his uninjured arm.
“I’m not
leaving you yet. You’re wounded. You need help.â€
“You don’t have time.†He glanced at the sky. Red colored the horizon. A
faint, cool
breeze lifted a tendril of hair from his forehead. “I’ve the proof I needed,
for what it’s worth
now. It will force further investigations, at any rate. And we’ll be able to
access Ennoren’s
personal logs and records. I have you to thank for that.†He reached up and
cupped her cheek.
“You...I thought, for a moment, that you believed him.â€
She turned her face to his palm and kissed it. “I believed you. I trust you.â€
He smiled, a crooked half-smile that stretched his scar. “Xep,†he said
without looking
away from Kira, “take care of her.â€
“How will you proceed?†Xep asked, golden head tilted.
“I’ll use the comm-system in the Guard transport to call this in. I’ve got
the whole thing
recorded - hidden pocket-cam. Right up to the point where Ennoren shot me. The
rest I’ll have to
relate via eyewitness account.†He slid a grin to the Shifter. “Good thing I
had a spare blaster in
my boot, wasn’t it?â€
Kira heard Xep’s chuckle in her mind as well as with her ears. “Yes,†the
Shifter said. “A
very good thing.†After a pause, Xep said, “We’ll wait up the road, Kira.
Where no one might
accidentally see the shift. Come when you’re ready.â€
Kira and David remained silent until they were alone. Then Kira murmured,
“You could
come with us now.â€
“I’m not finished yet. There’ll be an inquiry into the situation. I’ll have
to be here for
that.â€
She looked at the ground between their feet. “I know.â€
“I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t want to think this will be the last
time we see each
other.†He lifted her chin. “Tell me we’ll see each other again. Even if it’s
a fantasy. I’ll believe
you.â€
Kira sucked in her bottom lip, tasting the salt of tears. “We’ll see each
other again.†She
reached behind her neck, untied the leather thong and pulled out the two tags.
“Remember the
tapestry in my father’s study? It’s still there. A cousin will inherit the
house, but I’m sure she’ll
let you in to see it. Show her these,†she handed him the tags, “and tell her
I sent you.†She
pressed against him, kissing him fiercely. Then she stepped away. “Come when
you’re ready,
David Cario. I’ll be waiting for you, when you find the way.â€
She followed after Xep, her shoulders shaking with ragged breaths, tears
flowing freely
down her cheeks. She was almost beyond his sight when she turned. He stood,
his hand covering
the wound on his arm, watching her leave. “I love you, David,†she shouted.
And then she walked away.
The Ebisu was waiting for them when they arrived. Xep shifted from the
nondescript
modern vehicle back to its natural state to board. The three Shifters were
swept up by several of
Kira’s people and led to the cargo bay where they would shift to metallic
storage boxes until the
ship was away from Narava.
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Jo waited at the hatch with the others. She studied Kira’s red, puffy eyes.
“You’re not
injured?â€
“No. Daq?â€
At that Jo smiled. “Safe and sound in the cargo bay. Received quite the
welcome home,
too.†Jo’s smile faltered. “I hate to tell you this now, but you should know,
Vettine was injured
during the rescue. Took a blaster shot in the leg. She’s all right,†Jo
hurried when Kira’s eyes
widened. “She’s in the infirmary. Sam says she’ll have to be placed in stasis
for the journey, but
she wouldn’t let him put her under until she made sure you got back okay.â€
“Take me to her, please.â€
The ship shuddered around them as it lifted off the ground and headed toward
the launch
pads. The lighting was dimmed to a bluish glow in order to cut down on energy
drains while
flying inside a planetary atmosphere. Kira hoped it would disguise her tears
and puffy face from
Vettine. Though she was worried about her, Kira trusted Jo’s assurances that
she would be all
right. But she didn’t want Vettine to be worried about her as she went under
stasis for the
journey.
“Kira, what happened with Ennoren?â€
“He’s dead.†Emotional exhaustion made Kira’s voice bland.
Jo nodded. “And David?â€
“He’ll make sure the truth comes out. About Ennoren. I assume there’ll be an
investigation.â€
“The Shifters?â€
“Have found a new advocate.â€
Jo looked sideways at Kira. Kira meet her second’s gaze. Jo nodded again, and
they
walked the rest of the way to the infirmary in silence.
The trip to Kierna’Rhoan took two weeks, ship time. Kira had the course
memorized, had
learned to navigate this journey from a young age so that, as her father had
told her, she would
always have a place to go. She concentrated on navigating and talking with her
people,
discussing the future. Only when she tried to sleep did the days before they
left encroach on her
thoughts, and coffee-dark eyes haunted her dreams.
When they dropped below warping speed at the edge of the Kierna’Rhoan system,
the
entire group gathered around external view screens, straining for a first
glimpse of their new
home. Kira felt her heart swell. They’d made it. Kierna’Rhoan, the legacy, the
gift left to her
family by Nathanial and Brigit Farseaker. The ring-circled blue and green
planet was everything
she’d dreamed it would be.
The Ebisu entered the northern hemisphere of the planet, following Kira’s
guidance, and
landed at an ancient but serviceable landing pad at the center of a small
valley. Surrounding the
valley, tropical rain forest stretched over low hills and mist-covered soil.
The trees stretched tall
and thick toward the blue sky, towering giants of Kierna’Rhoan.
The instant the hatch opened, the ship emptied, as humans and Shifters alike
swarmed
into the warm, moist dawn. Sweet, heady flowers scented the air and colored
the green backdrop.
Unknown animals and birds filled the valley and forest with music to rival any
symphony.
“It’s perfect,†Vettine cooed, leaning on Kira as they descended from the
ship. “Beautiful
and perfect.â€
Kira smiled at the girl. “It has its dangers, little sister,†she warned as
they stepped onto
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 100
the cracked paving of the landing pad. “There are a few big predators in that
forest, and several
active lava volcanoes on this continent.â€
Vettine grinned. “Perfect,†she said.
They walked slowly to the edge of the landing pad, Vettine limping on her
injured leg
and still weak from stasis. The others were standing in the thick viridian
grass, some even
removing their boots to dig toes into the rich, black soil. Xep trotted to
Kira, a human mouth
grinning at her. I think I’ll get fat here, Xep told her, turning to survey
the surroundings. The air
is so thick with nutrients and sweet new “flavors.†We’ll have to readjust our
nutrient intake.
I’m sure it won’t hurt you to thicken your cells a little, Kira teased.
“Xep,†Vettine said, “what do you think of the new home Kira has given us?â€
“I think it’s perfect,†the Shifter answered through the human mouth.
“Told you so,†Vettine said, her smile glowing as bright as the yellow sun
just cresting
the horizon, flooding the valley with light.
As evening fell over the valley, Kira stood at the landing pad to say a final
farewell to
Raf and Sonia. She’d entered coordinates into the navigation system to get
them back to familiar
space. From there, they’d be able to go wherever whim and profit led.
Kira hugged the Ebisu’s brash co-pilot farewell. “Do me a favor, Farseaker,â€
Sonia said
before stepping onto the ship’s ramp. “Take care of that hacker. He’s not so
bad.â€
“I’ll do that, Sonia.†Kira waved as the woman disappeared into the ship,
then she turned
to Raf. “Thank you.â€
He grinned. “Was I worth the fee?â€
“Every bit of it.â€
Raf pulled her into a quick, tight hug, then held her by the shoulders at
arm’s length. He
ducked his head so that they were eye to eye and said, “Are you positive
you’ll be okay?â€
“Yes. But...†She faltered, her breath catching.
“I should be making a stop at Narava within the next few months. I’ll check
on him for
you.â€
She laughed despite the tear that slipped down her cheek. Raf kissed the tip
of her nose,
then placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Take care, Kira Farseaker.â€
Kira stood beyond the landing pad, braced against the buffeting winds of the
Ebisu’s
takeoff, and watched as their last link with the outer universe left
Kierna’Rhoan.
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 101
CHAPTER 17
David’s heart hammered painfully. He’d waited so long for this moment, it was
hard to
believe he was here. Six months, Narava time, wasn’t really that long; but it
had felt like an
eternity. Now fear kept him frozen on the edge of the landing pad. How much
time had passed
for her? Would she be glad to see him? Was he making the biggest mistake of
his life?
He took in the towering trees of the surrounding forest, the moist air -
chilly but not cold,
even though it was the height of Kierna’Rhoan’s winter - the cacophony of bird
and animal song,
the faint scent of flowers. He couldn’t deny the beauty of the place. But
there was only one thing
on Kierna’Rhoan David needed.
“What are you waiting for?†Raf said, pushing David forward. “I go to all the
trouble of
coming to this godforsaken planet again, hand over my nav-system to yet
another amateur, and
you’re standing there like a power-drained droid! Get going. The village
should be just at the top
of that ridge.†Raf pointed past David’s shoulder to a hill west of the
landing pad. “We’ll be
along as soon as we unload the supplies.â€
David turned to the smuggler, nodded once, and headed toward the ridge. As he
neared
the patch of forest, the deep beat of drums and high whistle of pipes reached
him. Closer, he
could smell smoke from a wood fire. He stepped into the edge of the forest,
giving his eyes a
chance to adjust to the shaded light. The music seemed to come from directly
in front of him.
Under the music, he heard a laugh. A familiar, soul-rending laugh, just to
his left. He
followed that sound, ignoring the music. The laughter led him to a clearing,
covered with short
grass and dotted with yellow-bud flowers. A path of stones led through the
center of the clearing,
over a thin purple-blue stream, to an enormous tree.
At the foot of the tree, dressed in a soft cream dress that hugged her upper
body but
swung free around her legs, stood the owner of the laugh. The woman who had
captured his
heart. Her back was to him, but he knew her. Her amber hair was longer, the
gold and few
streaks of red stronger now than the brown. In one hand she carried a basket
filled with an
unfamiliar yellow fruit.
He froze, staring, heart racing, breath raging. She was talking to a man
David recognized
from the complex on Narava. A handsome young man whose face glowed with
sun-touched
color, his blond hair bleached almost white. He made an extravagant hand
gesture, and Kira
laughed again. The kind of laugh that only one free of concern and pressure
could indulge in.
The sight ripped at something deep in David. Had she forgotten him? Would she
resent
his appearance in her new life as a painful reminder of things better
forgotten? Could he risk
dimming the glow that emanated from her? He took one step away from her and
couldn’t go
farther.
If she turned him away, he would leave with Raf. But he had to know if what
they shared
was still there, if they had a future. He had to know if she still loved him.
He walked toward her, just crossing the stream when she turned and noticed
the
newcomer. Watching her face, he saw the instant of recognition in her golden
eyes, the slight
parting of her mouth in surprise. She soundlessly mouthed his name and dropped
the basket. The
young man standing with her frowned at David, then recognized him, too, and
made a quiet,
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 102
hasty retreat into the surrounding forest.
David stopped at arm’s length from her. He ached to hold her, but fear kept
him distant.
“Kira,†he greeted her.
“You found us?†Her chest rose and fell with her quickened breath.
“I stared at the tapestry for a long time before I realized the stars were
different from the
ones in Narava’s sky. Then the codes on the tags made sense.†He pulled the
tags from beneath
his collar. He’d kept them on the leather thong and worn them ever since she’d
given them to
him. “Your great-grandparents were smart.â€
Her mouth inched up in a hesitant smile. “I’ve always thought so. How...Who
brought
you?â€
“Tygran. He showed up on Narava a month ago - Narava time. We had a drink and
struck
a deal.â€
“I didn’t even hear the ship land,†she whispered, a frown creasing her brow.
“If I’m bothering you, I can go back...â€
“No!†She reached a hand out, then dropped it to her side. “I can’t believe
you’re really
here.†She shook herself. “I’m sorry. You must be tired. Would you like
something to eat or
drink, maybe?†She pointed to the tree behind her. “My home is up there.â€
He looked up, surprised to see a small wooden dwelling built in the branches
of the tree.
It was far from a primitive construct, but it was also not the mansion she’d
grown up in. The
house appeared to be separated into several levels, built around the tree’s
natural curves. “How
do you get up there?†he asked.
“There’s a lift at the opposite side of the tree. It’s a simple
rope-and-pulley rig with a
counterweight, but it’s better than climbing stairs all the time.†Her grin
was huge, if still self-
conscious.
“I am a little thirsty, but I wouldn’t want to intrude.â€
“You’re not.â€
They both fell silent, neither moving.
“I heard music when I got to the forest,†David said when the tense quiet
broke his
nerves. “Are you celebrating?â€
“They’re practicing. For a concert. Vettine organized it. It’s tonight.â€
He nodded, still uncertain how to react. He doubted his logic and even his
instincts when
it came to Kira. She stood so close, a vision in her cream dress, her hair
brushed by the cool
breeze. So close. He’d dreamed of her every night, ached for her, and now she
was within arm’s
reach. And he didn’t dare touch her.
The silence building around them was shattered suddenly by a loud call.
“Kira!†Vettine
burst through the woods into the clearing. “Raf’s back. Did you hear?†The
girl stopped short
when she noticed David. “Oh. I guess you did.†She smiled and inclined her
head in greeting. “I
won’t bother you, then. I’m sure you both have catching up to do. I’ll see you
at the concert
tonight?†she asked David, pale brows raised expectantly.
“Of course.â€
Her answering smile reminded David of the fairies from the tales Granny
McGuire use to
tell him. “Kira,†the girl turned, “you’ll be on right after Paul’s solo.â€
“I won’t miss my cue, little sister,†Kira assured the girl. Vettine dipped
her head, then
left them alone again, a grin still lifting her cheeks.
“Little sister?†David asked, thinking it a strange pet name.
“Vettine is my half-sister. You didn’t know that? She did get more of her
mother’s look
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 103
than our father’s.†Kira shrugged.
“I never guessed. You’re playing in the concert tonight?â€
Her cheeks colored and she dropped her gaze. “I have a solo.â€
“What instrument?†Her bashful admittance dimmed his fear, and he took a step
closer.
“Flute.â€
“I love the flute.†His step put him close enough to feel the heat radiating
from her body,
to smell a hint of wildflowers in her hair.
“I didn’t know you liked music,†she murmured, her golden gaze now locked
with his.
“Passionate about it, actually. Just never had the time to learn an
instrument.â€
“I’m not very good. But I love to play.â€
“I’m sure you’re wonderful.†He reached out and cupped her cheek without
thinking. Her
skin was soft and supple beneath his rough fingertips.
“David...â€
“Before you say anything,†he interrupted, rushing to say what he needed to.
“I have
something I have to tell you.â€
“The Shifters?†Her eyes widened. “Are they all right? Is the new complex
still working?
What happened?â€
The tumble of her questions and the panic in her eyes pushed him to answer.
“The
Shifters are fine in general. Congress has reconvened to ‘re-examine the
necessity and ethics of
the exterminations.’ It might be years before they make the killing of
Shifters illegal, but at least
the hunt has been called off for the moment. Those of your people that stayed
on Narava are
working with other Shifter advocacy groups to get new laws passed - now that
those laws will be
considered. But...Kira most people are still afraid of the Shifters. They have
a long way to go.â€
“Have they discovered about Xep’s line?â€
He shook his head, moving his hand from her cheek to the curve between her
neck and
shoulder. “That adaptation is still secret. So is the location of your group’s
complex.â€
She smiled and let out a slow breath. “And you? What happened with you?â€
“I got what I wanted. My sister’s name has been cleared, along with the
others who were
executed. The matter is still under investigation, though. There’s still no
clear evidence to
indicate who set the bomb. Suspicions have turned toward Ennoren. I’m afraid
he took the brunt
of the blame for...well, for everything that’s being unearthed. There were
others involved, highly
placed people in the government. But Ennoren can’t identify them now, and a
lot of senators are
more than willing to let the issue die with him.â€
“I’m sorry,†Kira said, her golden eyes wide.
“Why?â€
“Because we stopped one man, but so many more got away.â€
“They’re for someone else to catch. I did my part. You did yours.†His hand
slid behind
her neck so that his fingers twined in her hair. “But none of that is what I
flew all the way here to
tell you.â€
“Oh? What, then?â€
“I forgot to say this before you left. I didn’t want it to remain unsaid.†He
dropped his
hand back to his side and sucked in a lungful of air. “I love you, Kira. I
need you to know that. I
realize that, after all this time, you may not feel the same about me anymore.
I was afraid I
wouldn’t feel the same once I got here, either. And I was right. I don’t feel
the same. Seeing you
again, I realize I love you so much more than I thought I did.â€
She let loose a small gasp of air and swayed back from him. Then she cupped
his face in
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The Promise of Kierna’Rhoan Isabo Kelly - 104
her hands and kissed him. David’s world erupted into color and song. He
wrapped his arms
around her waist, pulling her against him so fiercely she gasped. But he
couldn’t relax his grip
just yet. He poured all the passion and longing and love that swelled in his
chest into their kiss,
trembling with the strength of it.
“You’ll stay?†she breathed into his mouth inbetween kisses. “You won’t mind
living
here, isolated from the rest of the universe?â€
“I have all I want in the universe right here in my arms.†He kissed her
again.
Through the trees, the energetic trill of pipes and the pulsing beat of drums
swirled in the
fragrant air, blending with the swoosh of breeze-blown leaves and the thudding
of two lovers’
hearts.
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Page No 105
Into the Fire
by
Norma McPhee
Published by LTDBooks
ISBN 1-55316-030-4
Copyright © 2001
www.ltdbooks.com
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Page No 106
Copyright © 2001 Norma McPhee
Published in Canada by LTDBooks, 200 North Service Road West, Unit 1, Suite
301, Oakville, ON L6M
2Y1
All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced,
transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise,
without the prior written consent of the publisher is an infringement of the
copyright law.
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
McPhee, Norma, 1968-
Into the fire [computer file]
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
ISBN 1-55316-030-4
I. Title.
PS8575.P437I57 2000 C813’.6 C00-932711-8
PR9199.3.M32I57 2000
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Page No 107
PROLOGUE
You are about to delete the files, the computer said. Kerra had muted the
calm,
cultured, maddening voice. Still, the words echoed hauntingly in her mind.
Delete the
files. Such a cold, unfeeling phrase. Destroying her work was like ripping out
her own
still-beating heart. Still, what choice had they left her?
Had they really believed she would not find out? Or thought she wouldn’t
care?
Please reenter password and personal identification code for confirmation.
Kerra’s fingers flickered over the keypad. The warning winked out only to be
replaced by an equally soulless message. Access approved. Files deleted.
Kerra closed her eyes, leaning her head wearily back against the chair’s
headrest.
So far, so good. But this was just the beginning.
She needed to find every backup, every note she’d made, every last trace of
her
research into neural biosynthesis. But the longer she lingered, the deeper she
delved into
the system’s protected levels, the greater the chance her tampering would be
detected.
It took hours. Kerra used to get lost in her work, time passing unnoticed.
Tonight
she felt the passing of every second.
Kerra bit her lip, tasting blood, as the warning flashed one last time. Her
hand
trembled so hard she missed the delete key twice before making the final,
fatal stab.
Now her work was finished.
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CHAPTER 1
Aden couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this drunk. Then again, he
couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such a driving need to kill as many
brain cells
as possible. Sure, spending what few credits he had left on putrid-smelling
booze in the
seediest, slimiest excuse for a tavern to be found on this sorry ball of rock
was a pretty
stupid thing to do, but what was one more act of idiocy on top of everything
else?
Vaia’d warned him not to take this job. Said anyone who accepted a contract
to
run contraband into the Divras system was looking for an early, forced
retirement without
pension, if not an early grave. He’d laughed. Told her she was getting old and
soft.
Ha! The only thing getting soft was Aden’s head. By a miraculous combination
of skill, daring, and blind luck, he’d managed to land his ship in one piece
after a shot
from a Divran security ship took out his main drive. That had been the last
bit of luck
he’d had. Thank the stars the nature of the illegal shipment had been
relatively benign,
and they’d considered seizing his ship, weapons and documents enough.
It could just as easily have been his life or his freedom as his ship, he
realized
darkly. You’re pushing the odds, said a voice in the back of his head. Pushed
‘em too
damned hard, this time. Half the smugglers working back when Aden started out
were
either imprisoned or dead now, the ones who weren’t mostly retired.
Aden shook off the thought. Damned if he was going to hang it up when he
hadn’t even hit forty.
He might not have a choice, now, he knew. Stuck on a planet where the
government controlled everything from commerce to the sciences to where people
were
allowed to pee, a guy like him was as good as in prison. He still didn’t know
how they’d
found him out. His false papers had been prepared by the very best in the
trade, his cargo
hold rigged to give false readings if scanned. Still, those damned security
boats had been
sitting there when he came in just as if they’d been waiting for him.
“Right, Locke. First stupidity, now raging paranoia. Face facts. You got
caught
because you’ve lost the edge.†He glared balefully down into the murky green
depths of
his drink. “I’m almost tempted to let you go on believing that.â€
At the sound of that soft, familiar voice Aden’s blood froze. Gandes. Here.
It
wasn’t possible...
“Surprised to see me, Locke? Did you really think you could get rid of me so
easily?†He slipped out of the shadows - a tall, gaunt skeleton of a man, his
thinning
reddish hair slicked close to his scalp, making his angular features seem even
more skull-
like. He carried two blasters openly, one on his hip and another in a forearm
holster, and
a dagger thrust brazenly through his belt. Stars only knew what he had
concealed.
He eased into the seat across from Aden like they were old friends,
appropriating
Aden’s half-finished drink. “Seven years I rotted in that putrescent dungeon,
planning
what I’d do when our paths crossed again.†His light, conversational tone was
at odds
with the chill malice in his eyes. “It’s not quite as bad as what you did to
me - but then,
I’m not finished with you yet.â€
“Get out of my sight, you miserable baby-raper.†Aden’s fingers itched with
the
need to wrap them around Gandes’ scrawny throat.
Gandes laughed, a sound out of a child’s nightmare. “Come now, Locke. Jannia
was hardly a baby. She was old enough to be in the business, after all.â€
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“She was fifteen,†Aden spat back. “Just a green, innocent kid. What happened
to you when Vaia left wasn’t her fault. If there were any humanity left in
you....â€
“If there is, it’s no thanks to your precious Vaialora.†The twist of Gandes’
lip
made the name an obscenity. “She knew what she’d done to me. What do you call
that,
if not rape?â€
“An accident,†said Aden softly, not really expecting Gandes to listen. “She
wasn’t raised as a Kethrian. She didn’t know.â€
“She might have tried to help me,†Gandes said. “Instead she discarded me
like a
burned-out power cell.â€
“That doesn’t excuse what you did.†Aden wondered why he bothered. It wasn’t
like Gandes was capable of anything as human as remorse. “You brutalized an
innocent
kid and left her for dead. It took months to heal her.†To heal the physical
wounds, Aden
added silently. There had been other wounds he didn’t think would ever heal.
Gandes smiled coldly. The same smile Aden knew still haunted Jannia Wise’s
nightmares. “You’re right, of course. It was Vaia herself I should have
punished for
deserting me, but she wasn’t there that night. In your bed, wasn’t she?â€
Aden stared at the small wet ring where his drink had been and said nothing.
There was nothing Gandes could say that would make him feel worse about that
business
than he already did. He’d known sleeping with his ex-partner that night was a
mistake.
He hadn’t known until too late how big a mistake.
“This time I’ll do it properly,†Gandes continued. “Get the right bitch. Make
her
suffer as I’ve suffered all these long years.†He paused a moment,
considering. “Of
course, I’ll also have to deal with sweet Miss Wise, since she did take part
in that little
sting of yours.â€
He rose, leaning across the table, his cold, mad eyes boring into Aden’s own.
“That will be my parting gift to you. The knowledge of what awaits your
precious
friends, while you languish here, unable to help even yourself. I’ll send you
a little
souvenir. A lock of Jannia’s lovely raven hair. Or maybe even the entire
scalp.â€
Gandes left then, but his gloating laughter seemed to linger in the air, a
mocking
echo in the back of Aden’s mind.
Aden’s stomach twisted, and it wasn’t from the alcohol. He wanted to go after
Gandes, to stop him, but knew it was futile. Gandes, as he always had, wore a
whole
arsenal on his scarecrow-lean form. Aden’s weapons had been seized along with
his
ship. As tempting as it might be to take on Tral Gandes with his bare hands,
suicide
wouldn’t help his friends.
Kerra was returning from a quick, furtive trip to buy certain feminine
necessities
she couldn’t get delivered, when she’d spotted them, standing in the doorway
of the
dilapidated transient hostel she’d called home for the last few weeks. A tall,
thin male
and a heavyset, colorless female, both cold-eyed and stone-faced - she’d known
at a
distance what they were, even before they flashed their credentials in the
hostel
proprietor’s face. Internal Security.
Now she huddled behind a pile of refuse in a narrow, foul-smelling alley,
wondering where she could possibly go from here.
She was quickly using up the store of tricks she’d learned from the holovids
and
romantic adventure novels, which had been her main distraction from her rather
solitary
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life at the Science Ministry installation. She was running out of ideas. If
she didn’t find
a way offworld soon, they were going to find her. Find her, bring her back,
and make
triply sure that she never slipped through their fingers again.
What she needed was a - what were they called again? A fencejumper. That was
what they called them in the holovids. Men and women who flew fast, heavily
armed
cargo ships in and out of places no one else would go, carrying goods someone
wanted or
needed badly and someone else would prefer they not receive. People who risked
their
lives and their freedom - for money.
Well, Kerra had money enough. She’d downloaded her entire credit file. Nearly
every credit she’d made in all the years since the Science Ministry had taken
her from her
family. To protect her, they’d said. From the sort of accident that had
destroyed her
mother’s potential.
What use had she had for money when she was never allowed to go anywhere?
Surely she had enough by now to satisfy even the most mercenary of
fencejumpers, and it
was all stored electronically on one little datachip small enough to be worn
on a slender
chain beneath her clothing.
Finding her fencejumper - that was the problem. Pilots-for-hire who operated
outside the law probably didn’t advertise in the local service directory.
In fact, the only way there was likely to be any record of one on official
channels
was if -
It was worth a try. After all, at this point she had very little left to
lose.
“Captain Locke? Captain Aden Locke?â€
Aden raised his eyes from the untouched drink into which he’d been staring
and
glared at the creature who’d dared disturb him. It had been so tempting to
simply go
back to drowning his brain cells, but he couldn’t do it. It was one thing when
the only
life at stake were his, but...
“Captain Locke?†his tormentor repeated, more tentatively this time. It was a
child, a boy, not much older than six or seven. Way too young to be in here.
“This is no place for a kid, son,†Aden said. “I’m nobody for a kid to be
talking
to, for that matter.â€
“But the lady said to give you this.†The child held out a scrap of paper,
once
neatly folded - Aden could see the original creases - but now badly stained
and crumpled.
It looked like it had shared the kid’s pocket with a half-eaten cookie and
several dead
bugs.
Aden ignored it. “What lady?â€
“Just a lady,†said the kid impatiently.
That could mean any female over the age of twelve on the whole blessed
planet.
“Did this lady happen to have a name?â€
“Not that she told me, Cap’n.â€
With a grunt of displeasure Aden took the note and shook it open. The text
was
concise: I need a pilot, you need a ship. Meet me at Dock 34, 17:30 hours.
Aden’s first instinct was to give the message back to the kid and tell him to
throw
it into the recycler. It could only be a trick, a way for Gandes to torture
him a little more
by raising his hopes only to have them shatter like a child’s toy hit with a
blaster beam.
Nobody was going to hire a smuggler who’d been caught and lost his ship. It
was absurd.
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Ridiculous. Crazy.
It was also the only thing resembling a chance he was likely to get.
“Captain?†the kid prompted.
Aden dug into his pocket and pulled out a couple of coins, which he dropped
in
the boy’s outstretched hand. As the boy dashed off, Aden gave his drink one
last scowl
and pushed it away.
He read the message over at least a dozen times, studying it - the phrasing,
the
handwriting, the weight of the paper and the color of the ink - looking for
the stamp of
Gandes’ twisted style and failing to find it. Just a simple note in a vaguely
feminine hand
on plain, unlined white paper.
All singularly unrevealing. The only way Aden was going to find anything out
was to make the rendezvous. If it was a trap, he’d find out soon enough.
Kerra powered down the Talya’s computer, smiling in satisfaction. The ship
was
hers - well, Captain Locke’s. A private yacht belonging to some wealthy
dilettante, it had
seen the top side of Divras Four’s atmosphere a total of twice in the past ten
years. It had
been a simple matter to tap into the spaceport files and change the name on
the ship’s
documents to that of the false identity she had already established for
Captain Locke.
Her conscience experienced an uncomfortable twinge at the thought of stealing
the vessel, but it wasn’t as if the owner had valued it. It might be months or
years before
he even realized it was gone.
What worried Kerra most was their false identities. Sure, she’d worked with
computers all her life. They’d been the tools of her trade, and her only link
to the world
outside the lab. But she’d certainly never used one to forge documents before.
Heck, in
the past few days she’d done quite a few things she had never expected to try.
She glanced at the ship’s chronometer. 17:24.
A tall, rough-looking man was waiting for her when she emerged from the
ship’s
main hatch. He greeted her with a curt nod before gesturing toward the ship.
“Fancy.
But does she have any teeth?â€
“Not so fast.†Kerra said. “Your name, if you don’t mind? And I.D. if they
left
you any.â€
“Aden Locke. I believe you’re expecting me.†He reached into his pocket and
pulled out a datacard, then watched warily as she scanned it.
The text that scrolled across the card’s surface indicated that this was
indeed
Aden Locke, and that he wasn’t eligible to own a weapon, to pilot any orbital,
suborbital,
or extraplanetary craft, or to conduct any form of commerce while on Divras
Four or in
Divran-controlled space. Kerra nodded, satisfied, and handed the card back to
him.
He certainly didn’t look like Internal Security, but she’d had to make sure.
Though what she’d have done if he had been she couldn’t have said.
“The ship,†Locke prompted. “Is she just another pretty face, or does she
have
some firepower?â€
Kerra shrugged. “She has defensive guns and standard shielding, and a good
fast
engine. She’ll get us off the planet.â€
“Us?†He raised one eyebrow.
“That’s the job. Fly the two of us off this planet and drop me off somewhere
obscure and safe. The ship is yours to keep, over and above whatever you
consider a
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reasonable fee.â€
Captain Locke leaned against the ship’s port engine pod and studied Kerra. It
was
not a comfortable experience. His ice-blue eyes seemed to bore into her very
soul, but
betrayed no clue as to what they saw there. He was an intimidating man - tall
and
unshaven, with wide, powerful shoulders. Scuffed pants of black leather hugged
his
well-toned thighs, and a loose black shirt hung open almost to the navel,
revealing a
broad expanse of chest that the word “muscular†couldn’t begin to describe.
His long,
sandy hair hung loose around his shoulders, with one stray lock slipping
forward from the
rest to hang down just over his left eye. He wore no weapons - they would have
been
seized along with his original ship - but he seemed no less dangerous for
their lack.
He didn’t bear much resemblance to the heroes of her beloved holovids. With
his
dark clothing and rugged appearance, he looked more like one of the villains.
The kind of villain who’d be a serious danger to the heroine’s virtue.
Kerra’s
heart skipped a beat.
“So, what’s the catch?†Captain Locke’s voice was a low, lazy drawl.
“Catch?†Kerra asked.
“Obviously there’s a reason why you need someone of my talents - someone who
doesn’t mind bending a few inconvenient laws. You need to get offworld, and
fast. Just
what kind of trouble are you in?â€
“Does it matter?†Kerra tried to sound worldly and casual, with mixed
success.
No, no point in kidding herself. She failed miserably.
“Yes, it matters. I don’t work blind. The more I know about what I’m dealing
with, the better I can deal with it. If that’s a problem...†He let his voice
trail off, but
Kerra had no trouble hearing what he didn’t say.
Kerra nodded reluctantly. If he turned and ran after hearing her out, she
probably
wouldn’t blame him. “Have you been following the newsvids? You’ve heard about
a
scientist who’s wanted by Internal Security for stealing top-secret military
research?â€
Captain Locke’s eyes widened, but Kerra continued before he had a chance to
speak.
“That was me. But I stole nothing. I erased it. Every copy, every file, every
note. It was
my own work, and it was never intended as a weapon.†Her throat burned as she
spoke
the words, but she wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t.
Sweet shit, Aden swore inwardly, his heart coming up to lodge somewhere just
south of his adam’s apple. This kid’s going to get me killed.
He should have walked away, should have washed his hands of the girl and her
problems and gone back to washing away his sorrows in a river of rotgut. He’d
wanted a
way out of this impossible situation, but he hadn’t been planning to do it by
dying.
A single tear slipped from the corner of the girl’s eye. Aden wasn’t sure she
even
noticed it.
Damn.
With that solitary, orphan tear, suddenly she was real.
For the first time, he realized how small she was. Had she not been standing
on
the ramp leading up into the ship, she would only have come up to his chest.
Her fine-
boned, delicate build was saved from pixyishness only by an unfashionable but
not
unappealing roundness at breast and hip. She was, he realized, very young.
From what
he knew about how things were done on this world, she had probably spent most
of her
life cloistered in some godforsaken Science Ministry think tank.
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Her disguise - the orange-striped hair, darkened skin and mirrored lenses
virtually
screamed “disguise†- wouldn’t fool a maintenance robot.
Get him killed - she very well might. Get herself killed, without his help -
that
was a given. And he did need a ship.
“Thirty thousand,†he said. “Up front. And you pull your weight - do what I
say
when I say it, and save your questions for later. If you managed to purge
protected files
from a government system, you’re obviously good with computers. We’ll need
that,
since I don’t think this gilded crate of ours has the firepower to shoot our
way out of a
bad situation. Now, show me what we’ve got to work with.â€
“I still wish we had the time and resources to upgrade the weapons and
shields.â€
Captain Locke sighed, sliding his long form into the pilot’s seat four hours
later. “The
engines are the best that money can buy, but it’s pretty clear that this was
never a
working ship.â€
“But that’s good, isn’t it?†Kerra asked. “I mean, wouldn’t they get
suspicious if
a pleasure craft had state-of-the-art offensive weaponry and combat
shielding?â€
“There are ways of concealing illegal upgrades if you know what you’re doing,
Doc.†The Captain had called her Dr.Telsier for a grand total of about three
minutes.
“Still, you’ve got a good point. I just feel kind of naked on a ship without
teeth.â€
Unbidden, an image of Captain Locke sitting naked in the pilot’s chair
flashed
across the screen of Kerra’s imagination, and blood rushed hotly to her
cheeks. Her
nerves were doing strange things to her mind.
“Did you finish the adaptations on those false I.D.’s?†he asked her. “They
have
to match our disguises dead on.â€
Kerra nodded. “I still don’t think you look old enough to be my father, even
with
the gray in your hair.â€
“Thanks, Doc, but remember, they marry young on Aldera, and you’re small
enough and cute enough to pass as a schoolgirl - if girls on Aldera were
allowed to go to
school, that is. Just remember to keep your veil on, and let me do the
talking. Think
meek and submissive. I beat you regularly to keep you that way.â€
Kerra remembered her own father, a big, husky bear of a man whose rough,
callused hands had felt so gentle and loving each time he touched her. In
leaving Divras
Four, she was giving up any chance of ever seeing him, or her mother, again.
As well,
she decided regretfully. How could she face them, knowing she’d destroyed the
very
research that could have helped her mother live a normal life again?
Kerra glanced back over at Captain Locke in the seat beside her. His skin was
now darkened to the same dusky shade as her own, his hair black with streaks
of gray, his
blue eyes disguised with brown lenses. Her coloring now matched his, less the
gray
hairs, and her features were further obscured by a gossamer veil that covered
her nose
and mouth, as well as most of her hair.
“We should have straightened that hair, I guess, but I couldn’t bring myself
to do
it,†Locke confessed. Not knowing what to say, Kerra kept silent.
“Okay, let’s get this bucket airborne. Do you believe in God, Doc?â€
Kerra gave an eloquent shrug. “My father taught me to. I suppose I still do,
deep
down.â€
“Good enough. I don’t, so you’ll have to do the praying for both of us.â€
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“Normally,†Aden said as they rose through the planet’s atmosphere, “I’d
avoid
the checkpoint, fly out under cloak, and be prepared to fight my way out if
they managed
to detect me. But since we don’t have a cloak, or any weapons worthy of the
name,
we’re going to have to be clever. These people are looking for you; they’ll be
more
suspicious of any outgoing ship than they might normally be.â€
Kerra nodded. “Captain - what if I could make it look like I was on another
ship?â€
“What do you mean?†Aden was certainly open to suggestions.
“I could project a false life sign reading. Maybe even plant the documents
for my
original false identity - the one you said they’d see right through - in their
computer. It
just might confuse the checkpoint authority long enough for us to get
through.â€
Aden stared at her, surprised at her ingenuity. “You can do that? Without a
direct
line into the other ship’s system?â€
“I can tight-beam an electronic signal across space straight from our
computer to
theirs as long as there are no large physical barriers between us. The trick
is to keep it
from being detected. I suppose we could disguise it inside a normal
communications
signal, but that might make our target suspicious, being hailed by total
strangers - “
“Doc,†Aden cut in softly, “call up the port manifest. We want the names of
all other ships cleared
for launch around the same time we were. There’s a slim chance - “ If they’d
bothered to repair the main
drive before selling her, instead of just scuttling his poor baby for parts...
Kerra’s gaze flicked toward him, her expression doubtful, but she did as he
asked.
The list scrolled up the tiny screen almost too swiftly for the human eye to
follow. Still,
Aden spotted what he was looking for, freezing the screen with the punch of a
single key.
He grinned wickedly. “I was wrong, Doc - there is a God.†He stabbed a finger
at the
display. “There. That one. I knew that bastard couldn’t resist!â€
“ Red Lion. Wasn’t that - “
“My ship! My own blasted ship! He probably bought her at auction for a
fraction of what she’s
worth - with that ship he could fly right into Beckhaven Station free and
clear. Her arrival would set up a
flag in the Net for Vaia and Jannia - they’d come right into his waiting arms,
expecting it to be me! That
bastard - that’s the ship, Doc. And I know just what to say to the creep.â€
“You got the package ready, Doc?â€
Kerra nodded. “You’re not going to identify yourself, are you?â€
Captain Locke shot Kerra an offended look. “Gandes’ll know who the message is
from. That’s what I’m counting on. If this goes the way I planned it, we might
not even
have to pass a visual check.†He grinned devilishly, looking more like a
holovid pirate
than ever. “Heads up, Doc. We’re approaching the checkpoint. I’ll let you know
when
we have line-of-sight on the Lion.â€
Kerra’s heart pounded so hard that she half expected it to burst free from
her
body. This was it - there was no Plan B, and the thought of how many things
could go
wrong with Plan A made her head spin.
“There she is, Doc. Wait - wait. There. Prepare to transmit when I start
talking.â€
Kerra’s fingers hovered over the send key, her eyes on Captain Locke.
He hailed his former ship, not bothering to await an answer. “Hello, Gandes.
Just
wanted you to know that you’ve failed, as usual.†He nodded to Kerra, who
activated the
data beam. “Then again, you’ve always been a loser. That was why Vaia left you
- you
weren’t man enough for her. They shouldn’t have called what you did to Jannia
rape.
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They should have called it assault with a dead weapon.â€
Before Aden had even finished speaking, Gandes’ ship veered off from the
immense bulk of the checkpoint station. The sensors on Kerra’s panel indicated
that the
Red Lion was bringing its entire powerful arsenal to bear on the Talya’s
undershielded
hull.
Just when Kerra was certain that her companion had made a horrible, suicidal
mistake, sleek one- and two-man security boats poured out of the station and
swarmed
around the little freighter like hornets around a piece of rotting fruit.
“They’ve taken the bait,†Kerra hissed. “Let’s get out of here.â€
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Into the Fire
by
Norma McPhee
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Page No 117
Copyright © 2001 Norma McPhee
Published in Canada by LTDBooks, 200 North Service Road West, Unit 1, Suite
301,
Oakville, ON L6M 2Y1
All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced,
transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise,
without the prior written consent of the publisher is an infringement of the
copyright law.
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
McPhee, Norma, 1968-
Into the fire [computer file]
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
ISBN 1-55316-030-4
I. Title.
PS8575.P437I57 2000 C813’.6 C00-932711-8
PR9199.3.M32I57 2000
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Page No 118
PROLOGUE
You are about to delete the files, the computer said. Kerra had muted the
calm,
cultured, maddening voice. Still, the words echoed hauntingly in her mind.
Delete the
files. Such a cold, unfeeling phrase. Destroying her work was like ripping out
her own
still-beating heart. Still, what choice had they left her?
Had they really believed she would not find out? Or thought she wouldn’t
care?
Please reenter password and personal identification code for confirmation.
Kerra’s fingers flickered over the keypad. The warning winked out only to be
replaced by an equally soulless message. Access approved. Files deleted.
Kerra closed her eyes, leaning her head wearily back against the chair’s
headrest.
So far, so good. But this was just the beginning.
She needed to find every backup, every note she’d made, every last trace of
her
research into neural biosynthesis. But the longer she lingered, the deeper she
delved into
the system’s protected levels, the greater the chance her tampering would be
detected.
It took hours. Kerra used to get lost in her work, time passing unnoticed.
Tonight
she felt the passing of every second.
Kerra bit her lip, tasting blood, as the warning flashed one last time. Her
hand
trembled so hard she missed the delete key twice before making the final,
fatal stab.
Now her work was finished.
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CHAPTER 1
Aden couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this drunk. Then again, he
couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such a driving need to kill as many
brain cells
as possible. Sure, spending what few credits he had left on putrid-smelling
booze in the
seediest, slimiest excuse for a tavern to be found on this sorry ball of rock
was a pretty
stupid thing to do, but what was one more act of idiocy on top of everything
else?
Vaia’d warned him not to take this job. Said anyone who accepted a contract
to
run contraband into the Divras system was looking for an early, forced
retirement without
pension, if not an early grave. He’d laughed. Told her she was getting old and
soft.
Ha! The only thing getting soft was Aden’s head. By a miraculous combination
of skill, daring, and blind luck, he’d managed to land his ship in one piece
after a shot
from a Divran security ship took out his main drive. That had been the last
bit of luck
he’d had. Thank the stars the nature of the illegal shipment had been
relatively benign,
and they’d considered seizing his ship, weapons and documents enough.
It could just as easily have been his life or his freedom as his ship, he
realized
darkly. You’re pushing the odds, said a voice in the back of his head. Pushed
‘em too
damned hard, this time. Half the smugglers working back when Aden started out
were
either imprisoned or dead now, the ones who weren’t mostly retired.
Aden shook off the thought. Damned if he was going to hang it up when he
hadn’t even hit forty.
He might not have a choice, now, he knew. Stuck on a planet where the
government controlled everything from commerce to the sciences to where people
were
allowed to pee, a guy like him was as good as in prison. He still didn’t know
how they’d
found him out. His false papers had been prepared by the very best in the
trade, his cargo
hold rigged to give false readings if scanned. Still, those damned security
boats had been
sitting there when he came in just as if they’d been waiting for him.
“Right, Locke. First stupidity, now raging paranoia. Face facts. You got
caught
because you’ve lost the edge.†He glared balefully down into the murky green
depths of
his drink. “I’m almost tempted to let you go on believing that.â€
At the sound of that soft, familiar voice Aden’s blood froze. Gandes. Here.
It
wasn’t possible...
“Surprised to see me, Locke? Did you really think you could get rid of me so
easily?†He slipped out of the shadows - a tall, gaunt skeleton of a man, his
thinning
reddish hair slicked close to his scalp, making his angular features seem even
more skull-
like. He carried two blasters openly, one on his hip and another in a forearm
holster, and
a dagger thrust brazenly through his belt. Stars only knew what he had
concealed.
He eased into the seat across from Aden like they were old friends,
appropriating
Aden’s half-finished drink. “Seven years I rotted in that putrescent dungeon,
planning
what I’d do when our paths crossed again.†His light, conversational tone was
at odds
with the chill malice in his eyes. “It’s not quite as bad as what you did to
me - but then,
I’m not finished with you yet.â€
“Get out of my sight, you miserable baby-raper.†Aden’s fingers itched with
the
need to wrap them around Gandes’ scrawny throat.
Gandes laughed, a sound out of a child’s nightmare. “Come now, Locke. Jannia
was hardly a baby. She was old enough to be in the business, after all.â€
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“She was fifteen,†Aden spat back. “Just a green, innocent kid. What happened
to you when Vaia left wasn’t her fault. If there were any humanity left in
you....â€
“If there is, it’s no thanks to your precious Vaialora.†The twist of Gandes’
lip
made the name an obscenity. “She knew what she’d done to me. What do you call
that,
if not rape?â€
“An accident,†said Aden softly, not really expecting Gandes to listen. “She
wasn’t raised as a Kethrian. She didn’t know.â€
“She might have tried to help me,†Gandes said. “Instead she discarded me
like a
burned-out power cell.â€
“That doesn’t excuse what you did.†Aden wondered why he bothered. It wasn’t
like Gandes was capable of anything as human as remorse. “You brutalized an
innocent
kid and left her for dead. It took months to heal her.†To heal the physical
wounds, Aden
added silently. There had been other wounds he didn’t think would ever heal.
Gandes smiled coldly. The same smile Aden knew still haunted Jannia Wise’s
nightmares. “You’re right, of course. It was Vaia herself I should have
punished for
deserting me, but she wasn’t there that night. In your bed, wasn’t she?â€
Aden stared at the small wet ring where his drink had been and said nothing.
There was nothing Gandes could say that would make him feel worse about that
business
than he already did. He’d known sleeping with his ex-partner that night was a
mistake.
He hadn’t known until too late how big a mistake.
“This time I’ll do it properly,†Gandes continued. “Get the right bitch. Make
her
suffer as I’ve suffered all these long years.†He paused a moment,
considering. “Of
course, I’ll also have to deal with sweet Miss Wise, since she did take part
in that little
sting of yours.â€
He rose, leaning across the table, his cold, mad eyes boring into Aden’s own.
“That will be my parting gift to you. The knowledge of what awaits your
precious
friends, while you languish here, unable to help even yourself. I’ll send you
a little
souvenir. A lock of Jannia’s lovely raven hair. Or maybe even the entire
scalp.â€
Gandes left then, but his gloating laughter seemed to linger in the air, a
mocking
echo in the back of Aden’s mind.
Aden’s stomach twisted, and it wasn’t from the alcohol. He wanted to go after
Gandes, to stop him, but knew it was futile. Gandes, as he always had, wore a
whole
arsenal on his scarecrow-lean form. Aden’s weapons had been seized along with
his
ship. As tempting as it might be to take on Tral Gandes with his bare hands,
suicide
wouldn’t help his friends.
Kerra was returning from a quick, furtive trip to buy certain feminine
necessities
she couldn’t get delivered, when she’d spotted them, standing in the doorway
of the
dilapidated transient hostel she’d called home for the last few weeks. A tall,
thin male
and a heavyset, colorless female, both cold-eyed and stone-faced - she’d known
at a
distance what they were, even before they flashed their credentials in the
hostel
proprietor’s face. Internal Security.
Now she huddled behind a pile of refuse in a narrow, foul-smelling alley,
wondering where she could possibly go from here.
She was quickly using up the store of tricks she’d learned from the holovids
and
romantic adventure novels, which had been her main distraction from her rather
solitary
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life at the Science Ministry installation. She was running out of ideas. If
she didn’t find
a way offworld soon, they were going to find her. Find her, bring her back,
and make
triply sure that she never slipped through their fingers again.
What she needed was a - what were they called again? A fencejumper. That was
what they called them in the holovids. Men and women who flew fast, heavily
armed
cargo ships in and out of places no one else would go, carrying goods someone
wanted or
needed badly and someone else would prefer they not receive. People who risked
their
lives and their freedom - for money.
Well, Kerra had money enough. She’d downloaded her entire credit file. Nearly
every credit she’d made in all the years since the Science Ministry had taken
her from her
family. To protect her, they’d said. From the sort of accident that had
destroyed her
mother’s potential.
What use had she had for money when she was never allowed to go anywhere?
Surely she had enough by now to satisfy even the most mercenary of
fencejumpers, and it
was all stored electronically on one little datachip small enough to be worn
on a slender
chain beneath her clothing.
Finding her fencejumper - that was the problem. Pilots-for-hire who operated
outside the law probably didn’t advertise in the local service directory.
In fact, the only way there was likely to be any record of one on official
channels
was if -
It was worth a try. After all, at this point she had very little left to
lose.
“Captain Locke? Captain Aden Locke?â€
Aden raised his eyes from the untouched drink into which he’d been staring
and
glared at the creature who’d dared disturb him. It had been so tempting to
simply go
back to drowning his brain cells, but he couldn’t do it. It was one thing when
the only
life at stake were his, but...
“Captain Locke?†his tormentor repeated, more tentatively this time. It was a
child, a boy, not much older than six or seven. Way too young to be in here.
“This is no place for a kid, son,†Aden said. “I’m nobody for a kid to be
talking
to, for that matter.â€
“But the lady said to give you this.†The child held out a scrap of paper,
once
neatly folded - Aden could see the original creases - but now badly stained
and crumpled.
It looked like it had shared the kid’s pocket with a half-eaten cookie and
several dead
bugs.
Aden ignored it. “What lady?â€
“Just a lady,†said the kid impatiently.
That could mean any female over the age of twelve on the whole blessed
planet.
“Did this lady happen to have a name?â€
“Not that she told me, Cap’n.â€
With a grunt of displeasure Aden took the note and shook it open. The text
was
concise: I need a pilot, you need a ship. Meet me at Dock 34, 17:30 hours.
Aden’s first instinct was to give the message back to the kid and tell him to
throw
it into the recycler. It could only be a trick, a way for Gandes to torture
him a little more
by raising his hopes only to have them shatter like a child’s toy hit with a
blaster beam.
Nobody was going to hire a smuggler who’d been caught and lost his ship. It
was absurd.
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Ridiculous. Crazy.
It was also the only thing resembling a chance he was likely to get.
“Captain?†the kid prompted.
Aden dug into his pocket and pulled out a couple of coins, which he dropped
in
the boy’s outstretched hand. As the boy dashed off, Aden gave his drink one
last scowl
and pushed it away.
He read the message over at least a dozen times, studying it - the phrasing,
the
handwriting, the weight of the paper and the color of the ink - looking for
the stamp of
Gandes’ twisted style and failing to find it. Just a simple note in a vaguely
feminine hand
on plain, unlined white paper.
All singularly unrevealing. The only way Aden was going to find anything out
was to make the rendezvous. If it was a trap, he’d find out soon enough.
Kerra powered down the Talya’s computer, smiling in satisfaction. The ship
was
hers - well, Captain Locke’s. A private yacht belonging to some wealthy
dilettante, it had
seen the top side of Divras Four’s atmosphere a total of twice in the past ten
years. It had
been a simple matter to tap into the spaceport files and change the name on
the ship’s
documents to that of the false identity she had already established for
Captain Locke.
Her conscience experienced an uncomfortable twinge at the thought of stealing
the vessel, but it wasn’t as if the owner had valued it. It might be months or
years before
he even realized it was gone.
What worried Kerra most was their false identities. Sure, she’d worked with
computers all her life. They’d been the tools of her trade, and her only link
to the world
outside the lab. But she’d certainly never used one to forge documents before.
Heck, in
the past few days she’d done quite a few things she had never expected to try.
She glanced at the ship’s chronometer. 17:24.
A tall, rough-looking man was waiting for her when she emerged from the
ship’s
main hatch. He greeted her with a curt nod before gesturing toward the ship.
“Fancy.
But does she have any teeth?â€
“Not so fast.†Kerra said. “Your name, if you don’t mind? And I.D. if they
left
you any.â€
“Aden Locke. I believe you’re expecting me.†He reached into his pocket and
pulled out a datacard, then watched warily as she scanned it.
The text that scrolled across the card’s surface indicated that this was
indeed
Aden Locke, and that he wasn’t eligible to own a weapon, to pilot any orbital,
suborbital,
or extraplanetary craft, or to conduct any form of commerce while on Divras
Four or in
Divran-controlled space. Kerra nodded, satisfied, and handed the card back to
him.
He certainly didn’t look like Internal Security, but she’d had to make sure.
Though what she’d have done if he had been she couldn’t have said.
“The ship,†Locke prompted. “Is she just another pretty face, or does she
have
some firepower?â€
Kerra shrugged. “She has defensive guns and standard shielding, and a good
fast
engine. She’ll get us off the planet.â€
“Us?†He raised one eyebrow.
“That’s the job. Fly the two of us off this planet and drop me off somewhere
obscure and safe. The ship is yours to keep, over and above whatever you
consider a
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reasonable fee.â€
Captain Locke leaned against the ship’s port engine pod and studied Kerra. It
was
not a comfortable experience. His ice-blue eyes seemed to bore into her very
soul, but
betrayed no clue as to what they saw there. He was an intimidating man - tall
and
unshaven, with wide, powerful shoulders. Scuffed pants of black leather hugged
his
well-toned thighs, and a loose black shirt hung open almost to the navel,
revealing a
broad expanse of chest that the word “muscular†couldn’t begin to describe.
His long,
sandy hair hung loose around his shoulders, with one stray lock slipping
forward from the
rest to hang down just over his left eye. He wore no weapons - they would have
been
seized along with his original ship - but he seemed no less dangerous for
their lack.
He didn’t bear much resemblance to the heroes of her beloved holovids. With
his
dark clothing and rugged appearance, he looked more like one of the villains.
The kind of villain who’d be a serious danger to the heroine’s virtue.
Kerra’s
heart skipped a beat.
“So, what’s the catch?†Captain Locke’s voice was a low, lazy drawl.
“Catch?†Kerra asked.
“Obviously there’s a reason why you need someone of my talents - someone who
doesn’t mind bending a few inconvenient laws. You need to get offworld, and
fast. Just
what kind of trouble are you in?â€
“Does it matter?†Kerra tried to sound worldly and casual, with mixed
success.
No, no point in kidding herself. She failed miserably.
“Yes, it matters. I don’t work blind. The more I know about what I’m dealing
with, the better I can deal with it. If that’s a problem...†He let his voice
trail off, but
Kerra had no trouble hearing what he didn’t say.
Kerra nodded reluctantly. If he turned and ran after hearing her out, she
probably
wouldn’t blame him. “Have you been following the newsvids? You’ve heard about
a
scientist who’s wanted by Internal Security for stealing top-secret military
research?â€
Captain Locke’s eyes widened, but Kerra continued before he had a chance to
speak.
“That was me. But I stole nothing. I erased it. Every copy, every file, every
note. It was
my own work, and it was never intended as a weapon.†Her throat burned as she
spoke
the words, but she wouldn’t cry. She wouldn’t.
Sweet shit, Aden swore inwardly, his heart coming up to lodge somewhere just
south of his adam’s apple. This kid’s going to get me killed.
He should have walked away, should have washed his hands of the girl and her
problems and gone back to washing away his sorrows in a river of rotgut. He’d
wanted a
way out of this impossible situation, but he hadn’t been planning to do it by
dying.
A single tear slipped from the corner of the girl’s eye. Aden wasn’t sure she
even
noticed it.
Damn.
With that solitary, orphan tear, suddenly she was real.
For the first time, he realized how small she was. Had she not been standing
on
the ramp leading up into the ship, she would only have come up to his chest.
Her fine-
boned, delicate build was saved from pixyishness only by an unfashionable but
not
unappealing roundness at breast and hip. She was, he realized, very young.
From what
he knew about how things were done on this world, she had probably spent most
of her
life cloistered in some godforsaken Science Ministry think tank.
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Her disguise - the orange-striped hair, darkened skin and mirrored lenses
virtually
screamed “disguise†- wouldn’t fool a maintenance robot.
Get him killed - she very well might. Get herself killed, without his help -
that
was a given. And he did need a ship.
“Thirty thousand,†he said. “Up front. And you pull your weight - do what I
say
when I say it, and save your questions for later. If you managed to purge
protected files
from a government system, you’re obviously good with computers. We’ll need
that,
since I don’t think this gilded crate of ours has the firepower to shoot our
way out of a
bad situation. Now, show me what we’ve got to work with.â€
“I still wish we had the time and resources to upgrade the weapons and
shields.â€
Captain Locke sighed, sliding his long form into the pilot’s seat four hours
later. “The
engines are the best that money can buy, but it’s pretty clear that this was
never a
working ship.â€
“But that’s good, isn’t it?†Kerra asked. “I mean, wouldn’t they get
suspicious if
a pleasure craft had state-of-the-art offensive weaponry and combat
shielding?â€
“There are ways of concealing illegal upgrades if you know what you’re doing,
Doc.†The Captain had called her Dr.Telsier for a grand total of about three
minutes.
“Still, you’ve got a good point. I just feel kind of naked on a ship without
teeth.â€
Unbidden, an image of Captain Locke sitting naked in the pilot’s chair
flashed
across the screen of Kerra’s imagination, and blood rushed hotly to her
cheeks. Her
nerves were doing strange things to her mind.
“Did you finish the adaptations on those false I.D.’s?†he asked her. “They
have
to match our disguises dead on.â€
Kerra nodded. “I still don’t think you look old enough to be my father, even
with
the gray in your hair.â€
“Thanks, Doc, but remember, they marry young on Aldera, and you’re small
enough and cute enough to pass as a schoolgirl - if girls on Aldera were
allowed to go to
school, that is. Just remember to keep your veil on, and let me do the
talking. Think
meek and submissive. I beat you regularly to keep you that way.â€
Kerra remembered her own father, a big, husky bear of a man whose rough,
callused hands had felt so gentle and loving each time he touched her. In
leaving Divras
Four, she was giving up any chance of ever seeing him, or her mother, again.
As well,
she decided regretfully. How could she face them, knowing she’d destroyed the
very
research that could have helped her mother live a normal life again?
Kerra glanced back over at Captain Locke in the seat beside her. His skin was
now darkened to the same dusky shade as her own, his hair black with streaks
of gray, his
blue eyes disguised with brown lenses. Her coloring now matched his, less the
gray
hairs, and her features were further obscured by a gossamer veil that covered
her nose
and mouth, as well as most of her hair.
“We should have straightened that hair, I guess, but I couldn’t bring myself
to do
it,†Locke confessed. Not knowing what to say, Kerra kept silent.
“Okay, let’s get this bucket airborne. Do you believe in God, Doc?â€
Kerra gave an eloquent shrug. “My father taught me to. I suppose I still do,
deep
down.â€
“Good enough. I don’t, so you’ll have to do the praying for both of us.â€
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“Normally,†Aden said as they rose through the planet’s atmosphere, “I’d
avoid
the checkpoint, fly out under cloak, and be prepared to fight my way out if
they managed
to detect me. But since we don’t have a cloak, or any weapons worthy of the
name,
we’re going to have to be clever. These people are looking for you; they’ll be
more
suspicious of any outgoing ship than they might normally be.â€
Kerra nodded. “Captain - what if I could make it look like I was on another
ship?â€
“What do you mean?†Aden was certainly open to suggestions.
“I could project a false life sign reading. Maybe even plant the documents
for my
original false identity - the one you said they’d see right through - in their
computer. It
just might confuse the checkpoint authority long enough for us to get
through.â€
Aden stared at her, surprised at her ingenuity. “You can do that? Without a
direct
line into the other ship’s system?â€
“I can tight-beam an electronic signal across space straight from our
computer to
theirs as long as there are no large physical barriers between us. The trick
is to keep it
from being detected. I suppose we could disguise it inside a normal
communications
signal, but that might make our target suspicious, being hailed by total
strangers - “
“Doc,†Aden cut in softly, “call up the port manifest. We want the names of
all
other ships cleared for launch around the same time we were. There’s a slim
chance - “
If they’d bothered to repair the main drive before selling her, instead of
just scuttling his
poor baby for parts...
Kerra’s gaze flicked toward him, her expression doubtful, but she did as he
asked.
The list scrolled up the tiny screen almost too swiftly for the human eye to
follow. Still,
Aden spotted what he was looking for, freezing the screen with the punch of a
single key.
He grinned wickedly. “I was wrong, Doc - there is a God.†He stabbed a finger
at the
display. “There. That one. I knew that bastard couldn’t resist!â€
“ Red Lion. Wasn’t that - “
“My ship! My own blasted ship! He probably bought her at auction for a
fraction
of what she’s worth - with that ship he could fly right into Beckhaven Station
free and
clear. Her arrival would set up a flag in the Net for Vaia and Jannia - they’d
come right
into his waiting arms, expecting it to be me! That bastard - that’s the ship,
Doc. And I
know just what to say to the creep.â€
“You got the package ready, Doc?â€
Kerra nodded. “You’re not going to identify yourself, are you?â€
Captain Locke shot Kerra an offended look. “Gandes’ll know who the message is
from. That’s what I’m counting on. If this goes the way I planned it, we might
not even
have to pass a visual check.†He grinned devilishly, looking more like a
holovid pirate
than ever. “Heads up, Doc. We’re approaching the checkpoint. I’ll let you know
when
we have line-of-sight on the Lion.â€
Kerra’s heart pounded so hard that she half expected it to burst free from
her
body. This was it - there was no Plan B, and the thought of how many things
could go
wrong with Plan A made her head spin.
“There she is, Doc. Wait - wait. There. Prepare to transmit when I start
talking.â€
Kerra’s fingers hovered over the send key, her eyes on Captain Locke.
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He hailed his former ship, not bothering to await an answer. “Hello, Gandes.
Just
wanted you to know that you’ve failed, as usual.†He nodded to Kerra, who
activated the
data beam. “Then again, you’ve always been a loser. That was why Vaia left you
- you
weren’t man enough for her. They shouldn’t have called what you did to Jannia
rape.
They should have called it assault with a dead weapon.â€
Before Aden had even finished speaking, Gandes’ ship veered off from the
immense bulk of the checkpoint station. The sensors on Kerra’s panel indicated
that the
Red Lion was bringing its entire powerful arsenal to bear on the Talya’s
undershielded
hull.
Just when Kerra was certain that her companion had made a horrible, suicidal
mistake, sleek one- and two-man security boats poured out of the station and
swarmed
around the little freighter like hornets around a piece of rotting fruit.
“They’ve taken the bait,†Kerra hissed. “Let’s get out of here.â€
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Shadow
in
Starlight
by
Shannah Biondine
Cover Art Duncan Long
Copyright © 2001
ISBN 1-55316-037-1
Published by LTDBooks
www.ltdbooks.com
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Page No 128
This book is dedicated to my supporters & friends.
They listened, read, endured, challenged.
They shared their faith & patience when mine ran low.
Thanks to: Linda, Marilyn, Ann, Larimee, Kassia, Dayna, Trish, Connie.
And always, with loving appreciation to Bob.
Bless you.
Copyright 2001 Susan Block
Published in Canada by LTDBooks, 200 North Service Road West, Unit 1, Suite
301,
Oakville, ON L6M 2Y1
All rights reserved. The use of any part of this publication reproduced,
transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise,
without the prior written consent of the publisher is an infringement of the
copyright law.
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
B Bi io on nd di in ne e, , S Sh ha an nn na ah h, , 1 19 95 54 4- -
S Sh ha ad do ow w i in n s st ta ar rl li ig gh ht t : : [ [c co om mp pu ut
te er r f fi il le e] ]
M Mo od de e o of f a ac cc ce es ss s: : W Wo or rl ld d W Wi id de e W We eb
b. .
I IS SB BN N 1 1- -5 55 53 31 16 6- -0 03 37 7- -1 1
I I. . T Ti it tl le e. .
PS3602.I56S52 2001 813’.6 C2001-930729-2
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CHAPTER ONE
“Forsooth, a wry misadventure,†King Cronel declared with a heavy sigh. “Your
father will be sorely missed. He was one of my most valued advisors.â€
Wry misadventure?
Moreya Fa Yune tore her gaze from the beringed hand her sovereign waved as he
droned on about how Anthaal Fa had averted war more than once with his
polished
speeches and calm demeanor. How well Lord Fa had acquitted himself in the
peace
negotiations following the great battle in Tuleskeff; how well liked the royal
emissary
had been here at court.
Well liked, it seemed, by everyone but the royal cook, whose body sagged on a
pikestaff at the castle gates. The king decreed swift and lethal punishment
for the man
who’d prepared the sumptuous meal Moreya’s father had fatally choked upon. The
cook
was executed even before Moreya arrived under guard at Cronel’s castle, mere
days after
her father’s unexpected demise.
A wry misadventure, indeed, she reflected darkly. Her father had spent years
traveling at the king’s behest, visiting both near and distant realms. Anthaal
had eaten
roasted yak and caribou, boiled serpent, pickled vermin; he’d boasted of
dauntless
digestion and unwavering good fortune. Other reeves had been struck by lances
or
arrows upon occasion. Anthaal suffered not so much as a scratch. He convinced
warriors to lay aside their weapons, arranged vital trade pacts and defense
alliances. He
boldly strode unarmed into many a war camp and lived to stride out again.
Only to return to his native Glacia, and strangle on a chunk of roast boar in
the
palace hall. Leaving Moreya bereft and confused.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,†she mumbled, when Cronel finally stopped praising
his dead ambassador and reached for a cup of wine. A serving girl rushed
forward to
mop at the king’s sweaty brow with a silken cloth. Moreya focused upon his
damp
forehead and kept her eyes averted from the king’s flashing rings and pudgy
fingers.
“Your sire had just returned from Greensward,†Cronel announced, pinning
Moreya with his sharp gaze. “He sought my permission to arrange a betrothal
for you,
Lady Fa.â€
A betrothal? Her father had said nothing of this, not one word about marriage
or
setting up a contract. Moreya’s stomach tightened into a knot. Here was the
true reason
she’d been summoned by guards storming Anthaal Fa’s home. She’d known, of
course,
that she and her father occupied the ambassador’s sprawling manor as part of
the king’s
largesse. Upon learning of her father’s demise, she assumed the king would
expect her to
find lodgings elsewhere.
A sense of impending dread warned she was about to discover precisely where
now.
“You shall wed the prince regent of Greensward,†King Cronel proclaimed.
A collective gasp echoed off the marble walls.
Moreya stood at the base of a flight of steps leading to a broad dais and
Cronel’s
throne. The throne room was a massive chamber of polished marble. High-backed
wooden chairs were aligned against the outer walls. Guards and castle pages
perpetually
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flanked massive entry doors. She’d been granted a personal audience, but she
was far
from alone in the room.
The king’s bold announcement had wrought a stiff silence fraught with
expectation. She must respond, yet how?
She had absolutely no idea what to say in the face of such absurdity. Her
father
had been a high privy council member, a trusted royal advisor - but still and
all, merely
lackey to the Glacian king. The Fa line boasted no royal blood. Anthaal had
been a petty
noble, considered by most to have been more than fortunate in his own match
with a
Yune woman of gentle birth. Moreya’s mother had been a distant cousin to a
sovereign
of the far realms. Moreya couldn’t imagine that any royal family would have
agreed to a
match between a future king and herself - a woman of little consequence.
“Surely there is some misunderstanding, Your Highness,†she said softly. She
did
not want to antagonize him. Her gaze swept up from the steps to where Cronel
sat, rising
to the heavy crown resting on rumpled white locks that framed a florid,
piggish face.
She had been to court before, of course, to be formally presented to the
monarch.
She had been a child the first time, and foolishly spoke her mind.
“Why does the king have so many fingers, Father? I count six on each hand!â€
Courtiers and ladies in waiting had coughed and tittered, locking their eyes
on
Cronel to see how he’d react to being so baldly insulted. Cronel had laughed
and
pronounced Anthaal Fa’s daughter a most clever girl. Then he’d explained that
was why
he was king. He was born with excess digits. He was, he told her with pride, a
polydact.
A person with more than the usual number of fingers and toes. The excess
proved he was
superior, meant to rule. Everyone accepted the fact.
She had been tempted to reply that it seemed to her everyone had made a silly
mistake, then. She had once owned a kitten with too many toes on its front
paws. It had
been a troublesome animal, and no better hunter than its littermates. But her
father
squeezed her shoulder in warning, so she’d kept silent. As she grew in years
and
understanding, she learned the politics of the throne...that Cronel was a
bastard who’d
risen to rule after viciously slaughtering anyone who stood between him and
power.
Allowing this fat bastard to order everyone about merely because he was a
polydact seemed preposterous still, but Moreya would hold her tongue on that
point. He
did, after all, hold her very life in the twelve fingers of his fat hands. But
she would not
remain silent about the Prince of Greensward.
This gallows humor was too cruel to ignore. “There is a mistake, surely.â€
“No mistake, my dear. Nay. Indeed, the betrothal pact was the cause for our
celebration - er, that is, I regarded it as quite an accomplishment, even for
your renowned
father. He spent nearly a fortnight with Queen Vela. All is in readiness. You
will leave
on the morrow for Greensward, where you shall be wed within the month.â€
“But Your Majesty, I - â€
The chamber doors flew open. Moreya glanced back over her shoulder and
quickly ducked to one side. A knot of grappling men whooshed past her to the
foot of the
dais steps. She realized they were castle guards wrestling with a prisoner.
His arms were
pinioned behind him. Moreya could see little but black and gray disheveled
waves on the
back of his head.
A trio of royal guardsmen came forward. Each guard tensed at the knife or
sword
pressed against his throat, held at the ready by common soldiers. The men
who’d
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overtaken the guards wore no colored surcoats or distinctive blazons. Who were
they
then, motley outlaws and vagrants?
She debated whether to remain where she stood or dash to safety behind a
sturdy
chair. Would anyplace be safe, or was the castle itself under siege? These
knaves dared
mock royal guards at bladepoint! Yet surely, had the royal palace been
overrun, there
would be more troops swarming about, she reasoned. A great many, bound for
this very
chamber.
A deep voice spoke up. “Damn it, Cronel, do you have naught better to do than
keep signing those fool warrants? What’s the sot accused of this time? Wiping
his ass
with royal bed linens? Tupping a prize ewe? Mistaking your belly for an ale
keg?â€
Something black loomed at the edge of Moreya’s vision. Big and black and
somehow producing the words they’d all heard quite audibly. Dangerous,
sarcastic,
treacherous words.
Which had been spoken, she now saw, by a tall, imposing figure who stood just
a
few feet from her. His head and face were completely obscured by an oversized
dark
cowl. He offered a mocking bow toward the dais. Moreya swallowed and inched
back
slightly, but felt her skirt hitch.
The stranger’s broadsword had snagged the hem of her kirtle!
Fighting a vision of herself being bodily dragged before the high executioner,
her
garments still entangled with the blade of this brash rebel, she tugged. The
cloth tore
with a slight rending sound...which might have gone unnoticed, had every soul
in the
throne room not been straining in hushed anticipation for what might happen
next.
The cowl pivoted in Moreya’s direction. “I hope your skirts haven’t dulled the
keen edge of my broadsword, madam. ‘Twould be a shame to have to skewer the
king on
my best eating dagger.â€
Appalled, she responded without thinking. “Could you not find some less
flamboyant way to die, sir? A wild animal in the forest, a joust, a bold leap
off one of the
nearby mountain peaks. Your blade may be keen, but the like cannot be said of
your
wits!â€
“Bested by a maid!†The king let out a roaring guffaw and laughter exploded in
the room. Cronel slowly descended the dais steps, pausing to release another
loud
chortle. “So, the Warmonger cometh, at last. If you would answer my page’s
summons,
like any other knight of the realm, I’d not have to resort to warrants against
your men.
Release Sir Graeme.â€
The guards let go of the rumpled fellow in their midst, who smoothed a hand
over
stained garments. He hiccupped as he tossed a baleful look toward the stranger
in the
cowl. “I’d drunk only a cupful, I swear it, Preece.â€
Preece. Warmonger.
Oh, Good Creator, what had she done?
Moreya nearly fainted at the realization that the man she’d just insulted was
none
other than the legendary dark knight. Subject of murmured tales her father had
shared
with Drix, the captain of their home guard, or male visitors. Anthaal had
never spoken to
Moreya directly of the cowled-one’s escapades, but she’d overheard enough to
know she
definitely stood before her sovereign at the wrong time. Next to a ruthless
warrior who
had abundant reason to mark her continued presence. Ill fortune, indeed.
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She’d assumed the craven stranger wore a cowl to hide his face as he led some
brash, final assault against their sovereign.
But Sir Preece was reputed to wear a dark cowl at all times. To obscure a
hideously deformed face and head, so rumor had it. He rarely appeared at
court, and was
allowed open belligerence and hostility only because he’d proven himself an
incredibly
lethal henchman for Cronel. So effective that some called him the Royal Blade.
The ebon cowl turned toward her again and Moreya instinctively flinched. She
could feel the stranger’s unwelcome eyes rake over her like an icy draft. She
could only
imagine that this was how a poor rabbit must feel under the scrutiny of a
black wolf. She
couldn’t run, couldn’t speak, couldn’t think. Beyond ascertaining that he
stood much too
close to her...and she had no business with whatever business brought him
before the
king.
She stepped back one pace, yet another, then was pulled up short as her skirts
snagged once more.
She glanced down and discovered the knight’s sword nailed her gown to the leg
of a nearby chair. She glanced up into the empty blackness of his cowl and
felt a prickle
of hot temper. Her father had died, she’d been summoned here to court with no
time to
prepare or adequately pack her belongings. She’d been told a preposterous lie
about
some betrothal to royalty in another realm, and now found herself the brunt of
a jest with
this hooded knave!
“Your weapon appears in dire need of a scabbard,†she seethed. “Would you
please pull it out so that I might - â€
“Ah, as I long suspected, Preece,†Cronel sneered. “The lady asks that you
pull it
out.â€
This brought snickers from the male assembly and even more unwelcome heat to
Moreya’s cheeks. She knew she must be blushing like a springtime rose. The
knight
made no move to unpin her skirts, curse his soul. It must already be blackened
as his
awful cowl.
“But I assure you, Lady Fa,†the king went on, “This is the first time I’ve
ever
known Preece to put his sword into a damsel’s skirts. Which is why I decree
he’s the
knight who shall escort you to Greensward.†The king took another drink from
his jewel-
encrusted cup, then turned to gaze at the forbidding figure.
“Take your besotted friend and however many knights you require. Lady Fa has a
personal maid and both have baggage. I shall provide a coach and pack animals.
You
shall name your usual outrageously ridiculous fee, and I shall agree to half
that sum. You
depart on the morrow, Warmonger.â€
“She doesn’t leave this chamber until you sign a pardon for Dugan,†came the
low
response.
The king’s pronouncements, for all their clipped, impatient tone, had not
sounded
half so commanding as this softly spoken phrase. The hackles rose on the back
of
Moreya’s neck.
The king abruptly turned.
The royal guards no longer had blades at their backs, but Moreya sensed this
could change with the blink of an eye. The throne room stilled as the sense of
impending
danger mounted.
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“My blade now pierces her gown,†the cowled knight said, gesturing toward the
chair. “Would you have me prove how easily it could likewise pierce her
heart?â€
The king snarled something in answer, but whatever he said was lost on Moreya.
Her knees trembled, the chamber grew dim. Its walls seemed to recede, leaving
her more
exposed than ever. She couldn’t just stand there! The faceless madman just
might slay
her, simply to prove he could!
With a peculiarly detached sense of urgency, Moreya gave one last ferocious
yank
at her skirts.
They jerked free and she tumbled backwards in a heap on the floor.
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CHAPTER TWO
Preece had been summoned to the royal bathing chamber. He folded his arms
across his chest and addressed his monarch. “She’s a Yune,†he stated
pointedly.
“Indeed,†Cronel chuckled. “Why else would I order you to serve as escort?
You’ll deal with the Raviner threat and are perhaps the only man in the realm
who’d not
be tempted by her exotic appeal. I’ve offered Yune flesh before.â€
Cronel soaked in a massive tub especially designed to accommodate his great
girth...with space for several bathing attendants. One such female idly
scrubbed at the
king’s back; another braced a royal foot against her bare breasts as she
trimmed her
sovereign’s toenails.
These were but two of Cronel’s personal slaves. In a castle the size of this
one,
there were any number of servants and attendants bustling about at all hours,
day or
night. These were not serfs of that kind.
Cronel had taken dozens of female prisoners during his various battles - women
from every conceivable race and known realm - and though technically enslaved
for the
personal enjoyment of the Glacian king, the women were routinely shared with
knights
and nobles at court.
Preece declined to sample such women. Like other Waniand warriors, he had
neither a taste for slavery nor the need to indulge in random bedsport. Cronel
mocked
Preece with his casual words. Preece took a step closer to the edge of the
great tub.
“Sire, I - Damn, are you blind, woman?†Preece railed at the old servant who’d
splashed him. “With my face covered, I see better than you do!â€
He’d been about to protest that he couldn’t be ready to embark the following
morning for a Dredonian crossing. The king’s schedule allowed no time to
recruit
additional mercenaries. Preece had ridden to the royal castle with only a
handful of
warriors, two of whom had already departed on another foray of their own.
Which left only perpetually-besotted Dugan; Preece’s trusted friend, Lockram;
and Sieffre, one of the youngest knights in Preece’s band.
The bumbling maidservant had spilled a pitcher of cold rinse water down
Preece’s
leggings, angering him into forgetting his other concerns. The woman must be
wall-eyed
if she’d been aiming for the king’s broad pink shoulders.
“Oh, by the stars and six moons, look at what I’ve gone and done! A thousand
pardons, sir. If you’ll follow me, I’ll have you stripped of those wet things
and some dry
clothes p - â€
Preece jerked away the towel she offered to wield for him. He swiped at his
knees, which seemed to only grow damper. He glanced up to find the chambermaid
lewdly winking at him. Preece suppressed a groan. He knew that wink, and how a
dry
towel could seemingly make fabric wetter.
“All right. Which chamber houses my belongings?†He started for the door. The
bumbling maid scurried ahead of him. Once in the passageway she made a quick
left, a
right, then led him to one of the castle’s many guest chambers. As soon as
they were
inside and the door securely closed behind them, Preece threw the towel
against the wall
in open disgust.
“Bourke. Were you hoping to drown the fat throne-sitter?â€
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The stooped shoulders flared slightly. Sagging pendulous breasts shriveled and
flattened, to be obscured by a flowing alabaster beard. The servant’s apron
elongated
into a tattered ankle-length robe darkened with soot. The soot from a mage’s
hearth.
“You’ve been away some time, boy. I knew you’d ride in, when I heard Dugan
had been taken again.â€
Preece scowled, pointing at his soggy boots and damp leggings. “You needn’t
have soaked me to announce your presence. I know your wink.â€
Bourke shrugged shoulders so frail and thin as to be almost invisible beneath
his
robe. “You needed a good soaking after that display in the throne room. I’ve
never
known you to ill use a gentlewoman. Or your weapon.â€
“Both my sword and the Yune maid are well enough.â€
“Mayhap, but I suffered a bit.†The old wizard thrust out a spindly forearm. A
scabbed-over gash ran its length. “I was the chair!â€
Preece sighed and lowered his dark cowl. “Were you not so fond of following me
about and using every possible guise to eavesdrop on matters which do not
concern you,
you’d not suffer these indignities. Remember the time the wild boar tried to
mate with
you on that hunt? Why don’t you return to your cave and let me - â€
“I raised you from a dribbling youth, and unto this very moment, what
endangers
you concerns me!â€
Preece continued stripping off his clothing and mumbled a curse beneath his
breath. There was little point in reminding the old sage that Preece was no
longer a lad,
but a man full grown...a man who hired out his blade to protect and fight for
others. He
was scarce in need of guarding himself.
“Yunes are always unpredictable,†Bourke warned in his rasping voice. “I took
the precaution of casting spells upon these neck amulets. They render males
immune to
the girl’s physical appeal.†The wizard floated toward the ceiling and tried
to sling a
necklace around Preece’s throat. Preece ducked with a hiss.
“It’s enough I wear these accursed ebon tunics with cowls. I won’t wear the
stinking hind part of a bat! I’ve no need of any lustbane. As Cronel pointed
out, and you
plainly overheard, I’ve encountered Yunes afore. This particular one is no
different. She
detests me. If she could have hefted my glaive, she’d have run me through with
it.â€
The wizard scrutinized Preece. “You did not find her attractive, pleasing to
gaze
upon? You felt naught at all when you lifted her from the floor?â€
Preece grunted negatively as he stretched out full length upon the bed,
gloriously
bare from head to toe. He was bone weary and impatient with the foolishness of
other
men. Yune females were accounted remarkably sensual, but Preece cared little
for ogling
women. Right now he felt grateful for the peace and quiet of this chamber and
a soft bed.
“You gathered her in your arms and handed her off to those royal pages,â€
Bourke
persisted. Was the mage never going to let this tiresome discussion end?
“The maid had fallen to the floor. What should I have done, sent for a kitchen
barrow? Maybe she can ride in one to Greensward. Fie, of all the fool errands,
being
ordered to see the daughter of some baron delivered to her future husband in
Greensward.
And of all the realms, why that one? I hate all the ceaseless plowing and talk
of grain.â€
“She’s not a baron’s get, but the only child of Anthaal Fa.â€
Preece ran a hand over his bare chest and considered this new fact. Lord Fa
had
been among Cronel’s privy council members, an eminent ambassador. The girl
with the
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flashing violet eyes was Fa’s daughter...interesting. Preece seemed to recall
talk that
Anthaal Fa married a Yune noblewoman of great beauty. The daughter should have
inherited some of her mother’s exotic allure.
Yet Preece had not seen much to remark upon. At least not the factors men
usually noted. Though he’d stubbornly denied any outstanding impression to
Bourke,
she’d appeared to almost glimmer. Ripple before his eyes. Surely because he
was so
overtired and vexed at having to rescue Dugan.
Not because of the woman herself.
“With that sharp tongue of hers, her father likely sought to transplant her as
distant as possible from his own household.†Preece recalled her taunt about
his wits.
Bourke shook his head. “She’s not betrothed to some petty noble, but the
prince
regent. See you now how grave is your duty? Taking a Yune across Dredonia, the
most
inhospitable of realms, to marry royalty at Greensward Palace? No small task.
You are
certain...you do not find her in the least...beguiling?â€
Preece yawned. “Vexing, truth to tell. She likely has an even lower opinion of
me. Her dislike was clear enough. And that was after encountering me with my
cowl in
place.†He waved a hand, indicating his bare upper body. “Can you imagine what
she
would do, seeing what I truly am?†Were he not so dead tired, he might have
let his lips
quirk into a grin. He could picture the Yune ripping her skirts free and
knocking aside
every guardsman stationed between her and the castle gates in her haste to
flee.
The wizard hovered over Preece’s bed. “Be ever vigilant, Warmonger. There are
dangers greater than you suspect awaiting you.â€
Preece drew the bed furs over his lower body and rolled onto his side, turning
away from the wizard. Why didn’t Bourke make himself part of the wall and let
Preece
get some much-needed rest?
“Whatever they may be, I’ll face them squarely. When has Cronel ever given me
an easy challenge? He’ll pay dearly, you may rely on that. He trusts no other
knight with
his delicate Yune goods, and few would attempt crossing the wastelands with
her for any
sum. But this sojourn will get me coin with which to outfit a vessel all the
sooner. Go
home to your cave, old one, and take your bat’s rump with you. I’ll be fine.â€
“You’ll be forever changed,†came a rattling whisper. Preece rose up on his
elbow and glanced around, ready to challenge that assertion.
Bourke was gone.
“He’s been sniffing dead bats and evil concoctions too long,†Preece assured
himself under his breath. “Forever changed. As if I could get that lucky.†He
knew
better. He’d be hiding under black cowls the rest of his days. Whatever aging
a man
might do in fifty winters wouldn’t be enough to change him.
He could not escape what he was, what he’d been born to. Trueblooded pure
Waniand,
and hated for it.
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