She fought her instinct to react out of fear. That way lay death. She had to retreat within her own mind and completely let go of the other’s emotions. Something held her, wouldn't let go. Like trying to shut a door against the force of a thousand stars.
Struggle wasn’t the answer.
Calm. She focused on her breathing. It was her breathing, had been all along. But those thoughts…no, memories, they weren’t hers.
Focus.
The breathing regulated to a familiar pattern. She was back, but the residual effect of such emotion was devastating. She’d gone too far.
Sobs reached her ears. She was alive, but she didn’t care. Sadness and grief enveloped her. She rolled to her side, curled into a ball, and wept.
Vin didn’t know how long she’d been there, but the tears had finally stopped. You couldn’t touch another’s emotions without experiencing some of it yourself, but this had been different. It wasn’t like the usual empath connection; it was as though she had been that person. And something had happened. Something bad.
“Are you awake?”
She knew that voice. Or at least, she should. She was on her side, someplace soft and warm. She didn’t want to remember why she was here.
“Vin.” Armond.
She opened her eyes.
He knelt by the side of a bed and stared into her soul.
Panic shot through her when she realized her shields were down. She couldn’t go back into that tortured mind, but she couldn't stop the connection. She waited for the horrific flood of power and pain, but it didn't come.
“It’s all right. My emotions are completely blocked.”
Emotions. Armond. Not an empty shell. A killer.
For the first time in her life, she had no words.
“I need to check your injuries. The damage was extensive, nearly fatal.” Armond paused for so long she thought he was done. “In order to save you, I had to use my psi and heal you from the inside out. I wasn’t expecting your empathic ability to be so…overpowering. We were both asleep when you connected. You won’t feel anything this time.”
She instinctively pulled away when he reached out for her. “I can’t go there again.”
He paused. “You will never go there again. I promise.”
A tremendous grief descended upon her at the words. She couldn’t define her feelings for him. He’d killed at least three people and yet…
“Do not fear me.” His voice was flat, but there was an undercurrent. It was that thing that buzzed through her. That thing that was somehow this man.
She was so disconnected, detached, from her usual state of emotional equilibrium. A psychotic break. She needed sleep.
Armond’s brows drew together. “I must ensure you have no further internal bleeding, and our med kit lacks the proper equipment. You will not die on my watch, nor by my touch.” There was conviction in his words. And truth was, he could have killed her many times over, but instead, he’d healed her.
She forced herself to relax and nodded. There was nothing she could do in her present condition, and her gut said he could be trusted. Why she wanted to, she wasn’t sure.
He placed one hand on hers, and the other on her neck. A gentle but firm touch that sent tendrils of pleasure darting through her.
Yes, it felt good. The sensation amplified, then simply vanished. An odd feeling, almost a vibration, surrounded her injured areas. After knowing what it was to be mentally connected to this man, the lack thereof was startling. A strange void.
“You’ll be fine now. I had to effect one final repair in your artery, and another in the veins of your wrist. Sleep.” He removed his touch, leaving cold empty space.
Fatigue quickly overcame her, she closed her eyes, and heard his foot falls moving away. “Wait.” There would be nightmares tonight. Of that she was certain. “I don’t want to be alone. This bed is huge. Not to mention it’s yours. You can sleep on the other side.” The words preceded the thought. Stupid.
There was a long pause before he responded. “I will sit for now.” There was no emotion, but that buzz was there. An anchor in her state of detachment.
Vin woke to the sound of the door whooshing open. Armond entered, carrying a steaming mug. “I made you some fortified caff.”
She sat up and slipped her bare legs off the bed, stretching her arms and rolling her shoulders before taking the cup. The back of her hand showed nothing more than patches of pink where the acid had eaten away at her skin. She stroked her neck and felt no imperfection. “You have impressive powers of healing.”
“We are most fortunate it is one of my stronger abilities.”
She sipped the caff, sweetened the way she liked it. “Thank you.” She wore one of Armond’s tees and nothing else. Interesting.
“I had to discard your clothing. I removed as much excess blood as I could, but you’ll want to shower. Are you recovered sufficiently to continue our quest?”
“I think so.” A quick check assured her that her shields were strong as ever, and she was energized. Strange that there had been no nightmares. “What time is it?”
“Nearly ten a.m. Primaera time. We need to open the box and determine our next objective.”
“Yes, of course. Let’s do that now, and I’ll shower when we’re underway.” She rose to her feet and followed him to the galley. He had such a stunning physique, she couldn’t help but imagine his hands on her. Nor could she stop seeing those faces. What had happened to those people?
The galley was spotless. It must have taken a lot to clean that mess. “I’m sorry. It was stupid of me to take those flowers.” She recalled copious amounts of blood.
“You thought they were beautiful and wanted them for the ship.” There was an intensity to his gaze.
“That’s about right. I’ll be more careful.”
Something had changed between them.
Armond retrieved the box from the counter and handed it to her.
“You didn’t have to wait for me to open this.”
“We’re a team. We do this together.”
Such simple words. Why did they grab her with such force?
The box warm to the touch, she unlocked the latches and opened the lid. Inside, a crystal glowed with the same light from the cave. A souvenir. Next to it lay a small scroll. Setting the box down, she retrieved the paper and unfurled it.
Deception is fickle when the answer is unfair.
Lies not lies and truths untold.
High in the sky, floating in air, your next task is to the depths of despair.
“Well that figures.” Vin pushed the scrap away.
“What does?”
“I’m guessing it has something to do with heights. You're claustrophobic, I don’t do heights.”
“You climbed that wall back in the cave without apparent stress.”
“That was my limit.”
“Heights do not affect me. I’m sure I can perform the task.”
She scowled at him. “You really should watch those old episodes of this show. They’ll find a way to put it on me.”
“Why did you sign up for this?” Armond asked. “Knowing what you do and that your life could be at risk.”
It was the first personal question he’d asked her. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “Life can be terribly boring. I was in a holding pattern. Had been for a few years. I was ready for some excitement. That, and I didn’t really think I’d get in, so I went for it. I admit, I had some trepidation when I was selected, but the application is binding. Since I couldn’t do anything about it, I embraced it. And you had no choice?”
“That is correct.”
Her feet were getting cold. “Marty, do you know our next destination?”
“Affirmative. It arrived as you were inspecting the contents of the box. We are to go to Omagar. I believe the weather will be extreme.”
“Hot or cold?” Armond asked.
“Hot.”
“Marty,” Vin said, “did you
know about the acid-spitting flowers?”
“Affirmative.”
“Why didn’t you warn us?” Vin asked.
“I’m quite sure I did.”
“You did not,” Armond said.
“I do not understand.”
One of Armond’s eyebrows twitched. Maybe.
“At this point I’m thinking we can’t trust Marty,” Vin said. “Lies not lies and truths untold. Come on. I’ll check the nav coordinates, and then I’m going to shower and cook us a decent meal. You like stew?” Armond nodded. “I love stew. I’ll make stew.”
They crossed the hall to the bridge. Vin sat and pulled up the coordinates Marty had stored. The cold of the leather on the back of her knees felt good. “Seems legit. It’s four hours out.”
Marty chimed for attention. “The media crew from station DAZL is requesting an interview.”
“No thank you.” Armond said.
“Can’t decline. Part of the contract.” Vin shrugged.
“Then why did he ask and not simply inform?”
He seemed truly perplexed. “Politeness, maybe? I don’t know. Get us out of here so I can go shower. Marty, tell the crew we’ll be with them in an hour. They can film us in the galley while I cook. More entertaining that way.”
Armond sat at the island, hands wrapped around a cup of caff, while Vin sorted out necessary ingredients, meat browning in a pan next to her. Why she took pleasure in creating meals from scratch, he couldn’t fathom. Cooking the old way took longer. It did, however, allow one to savor the changing aromatic properties. And he had to admit, the aroma was enticing. And she did take pleasure in the activity. Even now, she quietly sang some song about a lover on a distant planet.
Her back was to him, her ample curves on display.
He didn't know how much she’d seen when their psi had connected, but it was enough to be afraid of him. And their psi had connected. Had done so in a way he would never again allow. Vin had somehow breached his defenses and lived. Saving her had been a close call, and he’d nearly lost her. Twice. The thought was disturbing on a visceral level.
“Are you okay?” Vin’s voice rang with concern.
Armond met her gaze. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. I sensed something.”
Sensed his reaction to the thought of losing her. He couldn’t look away from her eyes of near black. His shields were fully intact. How had she sensed that? This was a dangerous direction for him to be contemplating. “I am fine, Vin. It was nothing.”
She wiped her hands on a dish towel and eyed him skeptically. “If you say so.”
Armond wore his usual blank mask, but Vin knew something had just occurred. That resonance he caused in her body had gone into hyperdrive. There was something to his nothing.
Marty interrupted their staring contest. “The media crew is ready for you.”
“Activate the galley cams,” Vin said.
“They’ve been active for the past thirty minutes, darling.” There was no mistaking the twang of the DAZL reporter Mac Wendorn.
“Thanks for letting us know.” Vin hid her annoyance. Had they revealed anything that would be useful to the other contestants? She’d been tempted to talk to Armond about the deaths. That could have been disastrous. They’d have to figure out how to ensure privacy, moving forward.
“Glad to see you two crazy kids made it off Altaria in one piece. Should have seen the betting pools pinging on that one. Money will be exchanging hands with this airing.”
“What were my odds of survival?” Vin asked.
“Seventy-thirty you weren’t going to make it. That’s one nasty flower.” Mac leaned forward into the cam. “In fact, you’re looking pretty damn fine for all that blood.”
“The ships AI provided a neutralizing agent for the acid,” Armond said.
“Yeah, but that don’t heal the skin. What d’you two do? Hey Carl,” Mac called to someone over his shoulder. “Cue up the galley feed for yesterday.”
Vin turned back to her stew. She wasn’t sure she wanted to see this. The fact that they’d been watched for the past thirty minutes made her angry. She picked up the bottle of Kartoosh and couldn’t recall if she’d added it already or not. She blew out a breath and put in half of her usual. Split the difference.
“Ok, he’s got the neutralizing agent.” Mac was providing a blow-by-blow of the feed. It was one of his signature moves. “Looks like he’s got all the splatter points. Hard to tell with all that blood. What’s he doing now?”
Vin couldn’t resist and turned to see.
Mac had the feed playing on holo-vid. A nearly life-sized Armond leaned over Vin with one hand each on her arm and neck.
A phantom touch whispered on her skin, and she had an overwhelming desire to reach out to Armond.
“I am healing her from the inside out,” Armond said matter-of-factly.
“You can do that?” Mac whistled.
A few moments later, the media crew was whooping and hollering as Armond undressed her insanely fast.
“Oh, darling, you got some nice curves.”
Vin turned to Armond. “You washed me here?” She wasn't sure why it shocked her.
“The metal surface of the counter was the most effective and sanitary location. I did not know we were being recorded.”
More cheering came from the media. “That’s quite a nice touch you have there, big boy.”
On the holo, Armond used a galley sponge and systematically wiped away blood. At first his motions were purely functional, but with each stroke there was a noticeable shift. His actions progressing from mechanical to a gentle sweep. Thoughtful even. Desire washed over her as she imagined his touch.
She didn’t mind that her nudity would be seen across the galaxy; she was proud of her curves. But she wished that the moment had stayed private for Armond’s sake.
He placed his hands on her again and closed his eyes for another round of healing. After a few minutes, she cried out and curled into a ball, weeping.
The visceral memory of his anguish still hurt. She watched the entire process until he’d gently picked her up and carried her out of the galley.
“Aw, ain’t that sweet. You two going to be our next official couple?” Mac asked.
“No.” Armond stood. “My only interest in Vin is in winning this farce.” He turned and left, his lie echoing in her soul.
“That boy has some issues,” Mac said laughing. “Think you can warm him up?”
Vin put on her best flirty smile for the vid. “A girl can certainly try.” Decent ratings were important for the contest. Ties for first place had been broken in the past due to a pair’s popularity with the viewers. Armond’s cold demeanor could turn them into a fan favorite. The fans loved assholes. Even if that’s not what they were.
“Hey, Mac,” Vin said, laying on the charm. “How about a heads up when you’re filming? You are supposed to let us know.”
He smiled, rolling a toothpick around the side of his mouth. “Sure thing, sugar.”
Armond returned shortly after Mac and his crew signed off. “We won’t have to worry about the vidbot feed.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve disconnected them. No filming or recording until I reconnect.”
“Good thinking. It’ll piss off the corporation, but the viewers will love it. For a while. We need to make sure we keep them happy with what they can see.”
“And what makes them happy?” He returned to his seat at the island.
“Things going wrong. People arguing.” Sex.
“I don’t argue.”
Vin dished out two servings of stew and set them down. “There is another viewer favorite.”
“Which is?”
“Romance.”
His ice blues snapped up to her face. “Intimacy is not an option.”
He’d been pretty damn intimate when he cleaned her. “We could just fake it. It might make the difference between winning and losing.”
She
grabbed a bottle of water for each of them, and sat down next to him.
“It is not a good idea.”
There was a familiar resonance surrounding the words.
“Armond, what happened with the girl and those men?” The question was out before she processed the thought. Too late to take it back, she waited.
The man had a way of going preternaturally still, and his gaze was on her. The silence was beyond uncomfortable before he answered. “The occurrences were isolated, unintentional, and have not happened since.”
She’d figured that out from his sheer horror at their deaths. “Do you know wh—”
“I do not wish to discuss it.”
She nodded. It was enough. For now. He wasn’t a monster, but he had a problem.
He scooped up a large bite of stew and blew on it before taking it into his mouth. The movement was oddly titillating.
She gave him a few moments to process the flavors. “What do you think?”
“Delicious.”
“Thank you.” They ate in silence.
When they’d finished, Armond surprised her by offering to clean up.
“Really?”
“I am perfectly capable of contributing. Since I cannot cook such as you, I will clean up.”
“Great. I’ll go and check our approach to Omagar.”
Armond took their bowls to the sink, and she watched him a moment. The man epitomized hidden depths. The more she knew, the more she wanted to know.
Chapter 5
“What do you mean ‘there’s no land’?” Vin monitored their approach to Omagar.
“I mean the planet surface is covered in water,” Marty replied.
“How are we supposed to retrieve the box?”
“I am unable to answer that question.”
“For an AI, you sure have a wide range of emotional vocal patterns.”
“Turns out I have even more than that,” Marty said. Behind her, a tall bald man walked onto the bridge.
Vin jumped to her feet, heart pounding. Octiron had planted more than one stowaway over the years. There was the slightest shimmer around the man’s body. “Marty?” Vin asked.
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