by Tana Stone
One of the other Vandar shifted from one foot to the other and cut his eyes to the leader.
“I was on Rularen III,” I continued. “It’s occupied by the empire.”
The Vandar in charge hooked his axe on his waist and folded his arms across his chest. “Yes, we know. It’s been converted into a mining colony.”
I’d never actually set foot on Rularen III, but I’d studied enough about it. “That’s right. We mined for rare minerals, although the mines have been running dry as of late. That meant angry imperial commanders. Some of us decided we were sick of taking Zagrath punishment, so we stole a ship and escaped.”
The Vandar with a scar slashing his cheek spun the handle of his axe in one hand. “Where are the others now?”
I heaved in a breath and blinked quickly to manufacture tears. “Dead. The empire attacked as we escaped, and our ship suffered damage. Everyone else was either killed or wounded badly enough that they didn’t survive.”
“And their bodies?” he asked.
“I couldn’t keep them in here.” I looked down, willing tears to fall. “I put them out the airlock.”
Footsteps rumbled from the corridor and more Vandar raiders entered the bridge, stopping and staring at me. Even though their arrival was unexpected, at least it took the Raas’ attention from me for a moment, which was fortunate since I could not seem to be able to force out a tear. I burrowed my fingernails into the flesh of my palm, cursing myself for failing to manufacture sorrow—again.
Raas Bron did not turn his body, but he twisted his head slightly to address his raiders. “What have you found?”
“Very little food, Raas,” one of the raiders answered after tapping his heels together. “And the ship is out of fuel.”
“Signs of battle?” the other Vandar flanking the Raas asked.
A raider from the back of the group cleared his throat. “Hull breaches that have been sealed poorly.”
“Mining supplies in the cargo bay, Raas,” said another.
Raas Bron snapped his head back to me. “Maybe you are not lying.”
I widened my eyes and pretended to be shocked. “Why would I lie?”
The scarred raider emitted a low growl.
“Raas,” I added, quickly. I didn’t know who the scarred guy was, but I was going to kill him as soon as I’d dispatched the Vandar warlord.
Both raiders flanking the Raas turned to him and began speaking Vandar in low voices. My pulse quickened. None of them sounded pleased, and I wasn’t sure if they believed me or not.
The Zagrath general had assured me that the Vandar raiders were ruthless brutes who would be easy to trick and then seduce. He’d made them sound like violent aliens who cared about little but killing and fucking. As I watched them confer, I got my first inkling that this wasn’t entirely true.
The leader turned back to me. “Consider yourself lucky, female.”
I smiled at him, although even that slight movement made my face ache. “You’re going to help me?”
“No.” He spun on his heel and the leather flaps of his kilt caught air. “We are going to let you live.” He motioned his raiders to the door. “Vaes!”
Fuck. Maybe I was wrong about them not being ruthless brutes.
“You’re going to leave me without food or fuel?” I grabbed his arm before he stepped out of my reach. “You can’t do that. You have to take me with you.”
Axes were drawn so quickly even I was startled as multiple blades pointed at me, one coming so close to my face that a wisp of my dark hair was sliced off and fluttered to the floor.
Raas Bron held up a hand before any of his raiders could touch me. He bent low so that his words buzzed my ear. “You are wrong, human. I can do that. I am a Raas of the Vandar.” He straightened and locked eyes with me, his dark and deadly. “I obey no one, especially not a female.”
Heat arrowed through me, but I brushed it off and tried to ignore the blush threatening my cheeks. My mission was going off the rails fast. I had to get myself onto his horde, along with my cargo.
“You would leave me to die?”
His hand closed over mine, surprising me with its warmth, and he uncurled my fingers from his arm. “I would leave you for someone else to find. The Vandar do not rescue.”
I rubbed the skin on my hand, my flesh hot from his touch. “Even someone who defied the Zagrath?”
The raiders shifted, and an uncomfortable murmur rippled through them. Most of the galaxy knew them as terrorists. The Zagrath had worked hard to solidify that reputation for them. But I knew they were a people pledged to fight against the empire and lend aid to planets who resisted imperial rule. I knew that because it was part of my job to ensure that their mission failed.
I tipped my head back. If playing the victim of the Zagrath wouldn’t work, I’d have to shift to Plan B. I bit my bottom lip and leaned closer to him, making my voice a purr. “Please, Raas.”
Raas Bron looked down at me. “There is no room for a female on a Vandar warbird.”
So much for my feminine charms. I really was going to kill the imperial soldier who’d knocked me around. It was hard to be seductive when you could barely smile, and your lip was purple and swollen. My frustration was quickly morphing into rage, my pulse racing from fury, not fear.
I assessed the number of raiders and their weapons. Maybe I could take out the Raas right here. I wouldn’t survive the fight, but at least I’d accomplish part of my mission.
No, Alana. The mission is to lead the empire to the horde. Assassinating Raas Bron is not enough.
“You can’t even give me safe passage?” I begged. “I promise I won’t be any trouble. You won’t even notice I’m on your ship.”
He scowled down at me then hissed out a breath. “I doubt that very much, human.” Then he cut his eyes to one of the raiders beside him. “Bring her with us.”
He stomped toward the door, leaving me with my mouth hanging open. It had worked? He was actually taking me on board his horde ship?
“Yes, Raas.” The scarred Vandar clamped a hand over my bicep. “What about the rest of the ship?”
Raas Bron’s tail flicked behind him, but he didn’t turn. “We take nothing but the female. The rest we blow up.”
My gut tightened. Blow up? The Zagrath general had also assured me that the Vandar would take the cargo and anything not bolted to the floor. They were raiders, after all, and were known for stripping ships bare.
I stumbled forward as the Vandar moved as one off the bridge, pulling me with them and following the Raas. If they didn’t take the tracked cargo, the empire wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the horde. They wouldn’t be able to come for me. I considered asking if I could pack a bag, but decided that would be pushing my luck.
Leveling my gaze at the broad back of Raas Bron, I shook off my growing sense of panic. I’d had setbacks on missions before. It was nothing I couldn’t overcome.
I was still the most deadly assassin in the empire. I would kill the Raas and destroy his horde. I swallowed again, this time welcoming the tang of the blood from my bloodied lip. I never failed.
Chapter Five
Bron
“Well?” I stood on my command deck and rocked back on the heels of my boots.
Corvak gave me a curt nod as the steel doors swished closed behind him. “It is done.” He stared straight ahead as he joined me in looking over the warriors at their standing consoles. “You are sure we should not keep her in my oblek?”
I flicked my gaze to the doors leading to his special chamber. “You think we should hang an injured female from your chains?”
“What do we know of her, Raas? How can we be certain she is who she claims to be?”
I did not always see eye to eye with my battle chief, but he was correct about this. I knew little of the female who called herself Alana. Her bruises were real, and her ship’s records had backed up her story, but that did not mean she could be trusted.
“She is in one of the office
rs’ quarters,” I said. “Not my chambers.”
Corvak inclined his head, acknowledging that this was different than what our former Raas had done when he’d taken the human female as part of the spoils from a freighter we’d raided.
“But not guarded,” he said.
Svar joined us, taking his post on my other side. “A female that slight is no threat to any Vandar on this ship.”
I was inclined to agree with my majak, although I did not want to admit how carefully I’d studied the female’s lithe body. It was true she was not tall, but it had not escaped my attention that her arms were roped with muscle, and the waist she attempted to hide under a baggy shirt was taut.
If she had been a worker on the imperial mining colony, it would make sense that she would be fit. The Zagrath were known for being relentless taskmasters. Still, I suspected she was not as weak and helpless as she appeared. Not if she’d managed to evade the Zagrath. I’d sensed a strength in her. Plus, she’d been brave enough to challenge a Raas of the Vandar. My encounter with her had stirred my blood like nothing else since I’d taken control of the horde.
Corvak shot a look across me at Svar. “No enemy should be underestimated.”
“You are both correct,” I said to settle the argument I sensed brewing. “She is no threat to our trained and deadly raiders, but she should not be underestimated.” I turned to my battle chief. “Assign a raider to watch her, but do not guard her door.”
Corvak raised an eyebrow. “He should not stop her from leaving her quarters?”
“I would like to test her,” I said. “See what she does if she thinks she has free rein to move throughout the ship.”
“Clever strategy, Raas.” Svar chuckled. “Allow her to reveal her true intentions without using force.”
Corvak growled, his top lip curling. “I still say I would get faster results if I were allowed to take her to my oblek.”
I clapped a hand on the warrior’s broad shoulder. “Let us try this, first.”
“As you wish, Raas.” Corvak snapped his heels together then spun toward the door. “It is done.”
When he’d departed the command deck to carry out my orders, I faced Svar. “I might not want her under lock and key, but I also do not want her lingering as our guest any longer than necessary.”
“We are not a transport ship,” he said with a solemn nod.
“No, we are not. We are raiders.” And the female had provoked feelings in me I could not indulge. I scowled as I pivoted back to face the wide view screen dotted with distant pinpoints of light. “Not that we have had anything to raid lately.”
“You could not have known the female’s freighter would be worthless, Raas.” My majak cleared his throat. “Why did we not take the cargo, though?”
“After learning what the Zagrath did to Raas Kaalek, I do not trust any cargo they might have touched.”
“You think it might have been used to track us?”
I shrugged. “If it was, we have eliminated that possibility by blowing it up.” Watching the freighter ignite in a white-hot explosion had been the only satisfying part of the failed raiding mission—aside from the human’s defiance. “And what did we need with mining supplies?”
“So, what are your orders regarding our guest and her imminent departure?” Svar asked.
I clasped my hands behind my back. The female might intrigue me, but it was dangerous to let myself be captivated by her. I needed her off the ship as quickly as possible. “What is the closest inhabited planet that is not controlled by the empire?”
My majak crossed to his post, sweeping his fingers across the dark console. After a few moments, he swiped one hand up and a star chart appeared on the view screen. One point of light blinked blue. “Ladvok Prime. Class-M planet with an industrial civilization that trades freely with other planets and has maintained self-rule.”
“Anything of interest about the natives?” I asked, peering at the dot indicating the planet. “I don’t think we’ve ever encountered them.”
Svar tilted his head as he studied his console. “Nothing of concern. Bipedal, hairless creatures who wear elaborate outfits and headdresses. They’re governed by elected regional leaders, and have a monotheistic religion that dictates most of their moral structure. Aside from that, they’re peaceful.”
“Monotheism?” I shook my head. One god? How could one single deity explain the entirety of the universe, when it was clear that many ancient gods had forged stars and planets through a series of violent battles that gave form to the void? Although Lokken was the chief god, there were many gods of old that birthed the heavens with their mighty axes.
Svar shrugged. “I did not say they were sophisticated or technologically advanced, Raas.”
“Then how have they staved off the empire?” And how did I know so little about this planet in my sector? Granted, my sector was immense, and when I’d been majak to Raas Kratos, we had gone where we were needed, which meant planets that were being occupied by the empire. We did not touch peaceful planets, unless they were pleasure ones.
“From what I can tell, they have no precious minerals in their core. They are an agrarian society. I doubt the empire has much use for their planet. Or their people.” He gave me a small smile. “I forgot to mention that the Ladvokians are only a metron high.”
So, these aliens would barely reach my waist? I almost grinned at the thought of the human female living among these small creatures in garish headdresses. Instead, I gave my head a shake. “Will the human be safe there?”
Svar looked up. “There is nothing in our database about them being xenophobic. Perhaps we can reach out diplomatically and offer them an incentive?”
I let out a sigh. Yes, the faster I could rid the ship of the human, the better. Something about her made my stomach clench and my pulse race. The last thing I needed as a new Raas was a human who distracted my mind from the mission. “Agreed. Set a course for Ladvok and send a communiqué through back channels, so they do not know that their newest resident will arrive by Vandar horde.”
“It is done, Raas.” Svar’s fingers danced across the flat screen of his console as he carried out my orders. “We will arrive at Ladvok in two-point-four standard rotations.”
I swiveled on my heel and headed for my strategy room. I needed to study my star chart and determine our moves after we dropped off the human. I also needed to determine why the thought of leaving the human female on the alien planet made the muscles in my stomach harden to iron.
Chapter Six
Alana
I reached the wall of the compact room and turned sharply. I’d been pacing the length of it since arriving on the Vandar warbird and being escorted to the quarters.
“Now what?” I whispered to myself, casting a glance at the tray of uneaten food resting across foot of the bed. I had no concept of time inside the ship and no timepiece, but I knew I’d been there for at least a full rotation. At least, it felt like it.
I blew out an impatient breath. I’d managed to be taken by the raider horde and positively identify the warlord I was supposed to assassinate. That was good. But the cargo tagged with imperial trackers had been blown up, along with the ship I’d been in. Not so good.
I ran over my options in my head for the hundredth time. I could probably take out Raas Bron, but then I’d be stuck on an enemy warbird with no chance of rescue. I’d gone on tough missions before, but killing a Vandar warlord while on his ship without backup wasn’t tough, it was suicidal. As much as I was devoted to being the empire’s most successful assassin, I’d rather keep that title while remaining alive.
I thought of the other title they called me in furtive whispers. The Mantis would not be defeated so easily.
I reached the other wall and slapped my palm on the gunmetal-gray wall. It didn’t budge, but pain shot up my arm. Shit. Was the wall made out of iron or cement?
This ship wasn’t like any I’d ever been on. Instead of enclosed corridors and sleek paneli
ng, the warbird made me think of a steel skeleton. Everything was exposed and open with heavy beams and piping, creating a web-like maze that stretched up into the ship’s dimly-lit core. I’d tried not to gape as I was led through the net of suspended bridges and swirling staircases, but none of my briefings had prepared me for the reality of the dark and echoing ship and the hulking bare chested raiders who thundered through it in their leather kilts and glinting battle axes.
I glanced at the bed and the pale gray sheet tucked tightly around it. I guessed I should be grateful the mattress wasn’t just a slab of metal. Sinking down onto it and pushing the food tray aside, I rested my elbows on my knees and attempted to calm my breathing.
“This is only a setback. You’ve had setbacks before. You can do this.”
Somehow, the pep talk didn’t help. I’d had setbacks before, but I’d never reacted to a target like I’d reacted to Raas Bron. I glanced at the top of my hand where his touch had scorched my skin. It was unblemished, but I could almost feel the heat when I thought of his skin brushing mine.
I shook my head. “Get it together, Alana. None of that matters. You have a job to do.”
A job that included killing the huge warlord who’d made my pulse race and my mouth go dry. Memories of his dark eyes locked onto mine sent heat pulsing between my legs. I groaned and buried my head in my hands. So much for being the toughest, most cold-blooded assassin in the imperial fleet.
My mind drifted back to the Zagrath training camp. There had been no choice when I’d been in training. I had to be tough, or I’d end up dead. Only the strongest and most ruthless made it through the assassin training. It was why the Zagrath never sent their own kind through the program. They considered themselves too valuable to be wasted. But aliens that they plucked from occupied planets were another matter, especially if they were chosen as children.
I could barely remember my life before being taken by the Zagrath. My parents were a fuzzy memory, although their screams when I’d been ripped from them were not. I squeezed my eyes tight, trying to push the recollection back down into the dark recesses of my brain. If I didn’t think about it, I wouldn’t wonder what happened to them. If I didn’t allow myself to consider the probable outcome of that encounter, they remained alive and well on Faaral.
