“Well, you won’t have to put up with it for much longer,” Sophie said comfortingly. “But…do you really think it’s safe, going to the Scourge home world?”
“Baird says it’s completely deserted,” Liv said. “There was this big battle there about fifty years ago and the Kindred annihilated almost everyone living there—which were all men, by the way, since the Scourge have no females. The few that were left packed up and flew off in the Fathership. They’ve been growing more warriors in these huge, disgusting vats ever since but they can’t have any babies naturally because they have no women.”
“I wonder if that has anything to do with that weird prophesy they’re always talking about?” Sophie said in a low voice. “And with cousin Lauren. You don’t think she’s…they took her to…to…uh, replenish their race, do you? I mean, because when they had me in that ship they were talking about…about breeding and—” She broke off, clearly too upset to finish.
Olivia shivered and gave her sister a comforting hug. “I know it was awful, Sophie but it’s over now. And as for what they want with Lauren, maybe Kat can find out. That’s the excuse Baird used to the Council,” she explained turning to Kat. “You guys are going to hunt for traces of Lauren and also see if you can get any more information on the Scourge prophesy.”
“So we’re on a fact finding mission that just happens to double as a psychic soul-divorce,” Kat said dryly. “Lovely.”
“It’s better than being tied to a man who doesn’t love you,” Sophie said, straightening up. “You know that, Kat.”
“Yes, I know.” Kat sighed and ran a hand through her hair. “I thought about that a lot while we were on Twin Moons. Mostly because of, you know, my mom and dad.”
“They…weren’t very happy together, were they?” Sophie asked tactfully.
“Our house was a war zone,” Kat said flatly. “They were always screaming insults at each other, throwing things…hitting each other. That’s why I was always over at your house.” She shook her head. “I swore to myself that I would never be with a man I didn’t love with my whole heart, who loved me the same way. I can’t be with someone I’m constantly fighting with—someone who doesn’t want me.”
“Of course you can’t,” Sophie exclaimed. “Just wait until they cut you lose, Kat, and find some other nice Kindred. Try a Blood Kindred like Sylvan—they’re wonderful.”
“I would have to put in a vote for a Beast Kindred,” Olivia said, grinning. “Not only are they the best lovers, they’re the best cooks too. Baird has been making me something new every night.”
“Better than his first attempt at pizza, I hope?” Kat said, trying to smile.
Liv grinned. “Much better. Baird’s come a long way from the days when he thought fruit cocktail was a good topping option.”
Kat sighed. “They sound great and both of your husbands are wonderful men…”
“I hear a ‘but’ coming,” Sophie murmured.
“But, I’m just not interested.” Kat sighed and put her head in her hands. “I don’t know, maybe when this is all over with I’ll just go back to Earth and try to find a regular human guy. One who doesn’t force me to feel his painful emotions all the time, one without a tortured secret past, one who doesn’t freaking have to have his brother in bed with him to have sex.”
Liv snorted. “Uh, sorry Kat but that came out sounding really wrong.”
Kat waved a hand. “You know what I mean. It’s not sexual—not between them, anyway. But they seriously can’t touch me unless the other one is too, or it hurts them.”
Sophie shook her head. “That’s so weird.”
“Weirder than being bitten every single time you have sex?” Liv said, frowning. “Weirder than any of the other stuff that goes with being a Kindred bride?”
“Well, I guess not,” Sophie said, shrugging. “But you have to admit, it’s not what we’re used to.”
“Different isn’t always bad,” Liv said. “And love comes in all shapes and sizes. Maybe Deep is afraid to let himself love you, Kat. Maybe because of whatever it was that happened he feels unworthy of your love.”
Kat frowned. “He did say something about me being unattainable—like the moon or the stars or something like that.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “But then he went right back to being a jerk.”
“He went back into his protective shell,” Olivia said. “I’m telling you, Kat—I bet he loves you just as much as Lock does—in his own way.”
“Yeah? Well he could have fooled me,” Kat said sarcastically. “He can’t wait to get rid of our bond. He…” she trailed off, shaking her head. She was feeling weaker and weaker as she spoke but she didn’t want to show it.
“He what?” Sophie asked.
Kat sighed wearily. Need to get out of here and go lie down. “He—”
Just then the holo link buzzed, interrupting her.
“Oh, hang on a minute. Hold that thought,” Sophie said. She ran to the link and hit the accept button. Immediately a winking blue dot appeared about a foot above the black cube of the holo link. It slowly expanded to show the stern features of a Blood Kindred warrior.
“Excuse me, mate of my commander,” he said formally, nodding at Sophie—a gesture which looked odd since only his head was being projected. “Communications officer Bastian here. Forgive me for interrupting you at home but I’m afraid there is a planet to ship call coming in for you from Earth in the viewing room.”
“Oh?” Olivia came to stand beside her sister. “Who is it?”
“A human male by the name of Detective Adam Rast. He claims to have spoken to both your mates before, but now he wishes to speak to you as well.” He nodded at Liv and Sophie, including them both.
“Well, you can tell him to just—” Liv began.
“Wait!” Sophie put a hand on her twin’s arm. “He’s the one searching for Lauren. We’ll take it,” she told the communications officer. “We’ll be in the viewing room in five minutes.”
“Very well. I will inform him.” The holo head nodded again and then winked out.
“Why did you do that?” Olivia demanded, frowning. “What can we possibly tell him?”
“The truth.” Sophie’s face was paper-pale but she looked determined. “It’s not fair to do anything else.”
“Sophie, we can’t just—”
“Look, girls, you two are going to have to work this out between you. I’m beat.” Kat rose carefully, trying not to let them see how weak she was. She hoped neither of her friends noticed how white her knuckles were as she gripped the arm of the couch for support.
“You’re going?” Sophie asked. “But you haven’t even told us the dirty details of your time on Twin Moons yet.”
“And you’re folding space for the Scourge home world tomorrow morning,” Liv added.
“Sorry girls.” Kat tried to laugh but it came out as more of a croak and she had to turn it into a cough. “Looks like you’ll have to grill me later.”
“Kat, are you sure you’re okay?” Liv looked at her critically. “I mean, you still don’t seem like yourself.”
“Of course she doesn’t,” Sophie jumped to her defense. “Her soul is still tangled up with Deep and Lock’s. She won’t be back to her old self until she gets all that straightened out. Right, Kat?”
“Right.” Kat nodded. God, she was so tired. Have to get out of here. “And as anyone knows, a good night’s sleep is really important before getting a soul-divorce. So I’m going to hit the hay.”
Sophie gave her a hug. “We’ll be there to see you off, tomorrow,” she promised.
“You don’t have to do that,” Kat protested. “I’m sure we’re leaving at some ungodly hour.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Olivia hugged her too. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
I hope I don’t miss it either! Hope I’m not too weak to get there. Or in too much pain… The beginnings of a headache were throbbing behind her eyes ominously. Kat tried to smile. “Okay, you win. I’ll see y
ou both tomorrow.”
It took every ounce of strength she could muster to stand straight and walk out the door as though nothing was wrong. But somehow she managed. She even managed to get to her own suite without falling over. Once there, however, she collapsed on the bed and put a hand over her eyes.
Oh God, the pain…The rusty iron spike was back, digging into her brain just behind her eyes. Kat knew she ought to call for help but the only two people who could help her were Deep and Lock.
And after the scene the three of them had been through on Twin Moons, she knew she would rather die than ask. We’re getting our divorce tomorrow, she told herself, gritting her teeth. Surely I can make it until then…She hoped.
Twenty-Four
Detective Adam Rast was a big, imposing man with dark green eyes and golden brown hair, cut short and neat. From his image on the viewscreen, he looked to be in his early to mid thirties. If Liv hadn’t spent so much time around the Kindred, he might have intimidated her. But though he was nearly as tall as Baird and built like a linebacker, she was used to big males now. And besides, he was back on Earth—there was nothing he could actually do to them.
Though it certainly looked like he wanted to try.
“I’m sick of these evasions and half answers.” His deep voice was a menacing growl. “Your aunt hired me to find your cousin and I know you know more about her disappearance than you’re telling me.”
“What makes you think that?” Liv asked coolly. “My husband tells me the Kindred have cooperated with you fully.”
“He’s also not telling me everything he knows.” The detective gave them a frustrated look. “Look, I know you girls have never met your cousin but she may be in real danger so—”
“She is in danger,” Sophie said quietly, looking up at the viewscreen.
“What?” He frowned at her. “What do you mean?”
Liv sighed. Here we go. But if Sophie had decided to let the truth come out, she had to support her. “We believe Lauren was taken by the Scourge,” she said clearly.
Detective Rast glowered at them. “Why wasn’t I told this immediately?”
“Because there’s nothing you can do about it,” Liv said. “Hell, there’s nothing we can do about it.” She pointed a finger at the viewscreen. “And don’t think for a minute that we don’t care just because we’ve never met Lauren. Both Sophie and I have been held by the Scourge and we’re well aware of what a horrible experience it is.”
“Which is why we didn’t want to tell you—or Aunt Abby,” Sophie added. “We thought it would be better for her to go on thinking that Lauren was just missing rather than actually knowing that she’s a prisoner of that…that…” She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. “Poor Lauren.”
The anger in Rast’s face faded to be replaced by concern. “And you’re sure they took her?”
“Not positive, no,” Liv said. “But the way she was taken—with all her clothes left behind—is consistent with the way the Scourge kidnapped Sophie here. They have this device called a molecular transfer beam that can only transport living tissue—that’s why the clothes get left behind.”
“And she has a mark between her breasts,” Sophie added, sniffing. “We saw it on the pictures Aunt Abby showed us.”
Rast frowned. “What does that have to do with it?”
“We’re not completely sure,” Liv said. “But the Scourge have a prophesy that seems to have something to do with an Earth girl who has a special mark between her breasts. They checked both me and my sister for the mark when they kidnapped us. Lauren is related to us and she has it—we’re pretty sure there’s a connection.”
“What can we do? How can we get her back?” Rast asked.
“We can’t,” Liv said bluntly. “I’m sorry, but we’re not even sure where they’ve taken her. Although we do have some Kindred warriors who are going to go to the Scourge home planet tomorrow,” she said, wanting to give him hope. “They’re going to be looking for any traces of Lauren and also, they want to find out exactly what the Scourge prophesy says.”
“What good is that?” Rast demanded. “Isn’t it more likely that they have her in their ship?”
“The Fathership? Possibly,” Liv said. “But it’s practically impregnable and the Kindred High Council has determined that they can’t make an attack on it and risk the safety of the entire Earth just for one girl.” She sighed. “I’m sorry, Detective Rast.”
“Please don’t think we don’t care about Lauren,” Sophie pleaded. “She’s all I’ve been thinking about lately. I feel so bad for her because I know what she’s going through.”
“And that’s all you can tell me? You’re not holding anything else back?” Rast looked back and forth between them.
Liv nodded. “I’m afraid that’s it. I hope you can see why we’ve been hiding it. We thought not knowing was a better option for Aunt Abby than telling her that her daughter had been abducted by the Scourge.”
“It’s a tough call, all right.” Rast blew out a breath and ran a hand through his short golden brown hair. “But I need to let her know. I can’t keep taking her money when there’s nothing I can do.”
“Hold off on telling her just a little while longer,” Sophie pleaded. “Maybe Deep and Lock—the warriors that are going tomorrow—will find out something about where she’s being kept or…or what they want her for.”
“We might even be able to arrange for you to come up here to the Mother ship and talk to them after they get back in person,” Liv said, having an inspiration. “I could ask my husband to ask the Council for a special dispensation.”
“I fail to see how taking a tour of your ship will help me locate Lauren,” Rast growled. “But I would like to conduct interviews in person rather than over this damn viewscreen.”
“Let me see what I can do,” Liv said smoothly.
“And in the mean time, can you hold off on telling Aunt Abby?” Sophie pleaded.
Rast sighed. “I’ll think about it. As I said, I don’t like taking her money without doing my job.”
“But you are doing your job,” Liv pointed out quietly. “You didn’t quit until you got answers about where Lauren is.”
Rast got a stubborn look on his chiseled features. “Your aunt hired me to find Lauren and bring her home safely. Until that’s accomplished, my job isn’t done.” He nodded briefly. “I’ll let you go now, but I’ll be in touch. If you find out anything, the communications officer I spoke to has my contact information. Call me any time of the day or night and I’ll come straight down to the Human/Kindred Relations building to talk on the viewscreen.”
Sophie nodded. “All right, thank you, Detective.”
His face softened slightly. “Thank you for telling me the truth. Now we just have to hope to God that the warriors you’re sending find something.”
“I’m sure they will,” Liv said, making a mental note to talk to Lock about it. Just because he and Kat and Deep were mainly visiting the Scourge home planet to get their “soul-divorce” as Kat called it, didn’t mean they couldn’t also dig for clues. She knew the light twin would take the assignment very seriously if she asked him to.
Rast nodded once more and then the viewscreen flickered and went blank.
“Wow, he’s really dedicated,” Sophie murmured.
Liv nodded. “I can see why Baird respects him so much.” She sighed. “Well, the cat’s out of the bag, now. I wonder how long he’ll wait to tell Aunt Abby.”
Sophie looked troubled. “Maybe…maybe we should tell her. It doesn’t seem fair to put that decision on him. And we are family.”
“You were the one begging him to wait,” Liv pointed out. “And besides, I think you were right. Kat and the guys might find something worth knowing. If they could even get the exact wording of the prophesy, we might have a clue about exactly what they want Lauren for and where they might be taking her.”
Sophie nodded reluctantly. “All right. I just feel so bad that we’re keeping
it from Aunt Abby. But it still seems worse to just come out and tell her that the AllFather has Lauren without being able to offer her some kind of hope.” She looked at Liv. “Do you think if we can somehow prove she is aboard the Fathership the Council will approve an attack or some kind of rescue attempt?”
“I don’t know.” Liv sighed. “That would mean full scale war which would probably have some serious fallout effects on the Earth. It’s one of those “the lives of the many are worth more than the lives of the one or few” kind of things.”
“But Lauren is blood! She’s our cousin.” Sophie’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, poor girl. I wish I knew where she was right now.”
“Me too.” Liv gave her sister a comforting hug. “Me too, Sophie.”
Twenty-Five
“The girl will have to be moved. Ssshe will come with usss to the home world.”
“The home world?” Xairn frowned at his father, who was seated on the black metal throne etched in glowing green runes. He was surrounded, as always, by four enormous vat grown soldiers he’d had specially made for his own private guard.
“Yesss.” The AllFather nodded, his shadowy hood billowing with the movement to reveal burning red eyes. They did not glow quite so brightly as they had in the past—since he had lost his primary source of sustenance, Xairn’s father seemed to move more slowly and speak with a little less vehemence.
He is weakening before my eyes. Xairn supposed he ought to feel pity for the male who was his father but since he, Xairn, had been the AllFather’s main source of nourishment, he couldn’t find it in him to care. In fact, he cared about nothing lately—which was the reason the AllFather could no longer feed on his negative emotions. He had none.
“We mussst go back,” the AllFather hissed. “There are facilities there to augment my power.”
“You need more power?” Xairn kept his voice neutral.
“Imbecile! You know that I do!” the AllFather raged in a weak voice. “Now that your pain no longer nourishesss me, I have only the vat grown to feed on. And their emotionsss are vague ssshadows—not nearly enough to sssustain me.”
Brides of the Kindred Volume One: Books 1-4 Page 110
