Kade (sci-fi romance - The Ember Quest Book 2)

by Arcadia Shield

  “What about your families and loved ones?” asked Honor. “Won’t Seamus’ crew retaliate?”

  “With Seamus dead, it will take a while for word to get back about what’s happened,” said the female hybrid. “But we need to get them out, fast.”

  “If you need a hand with that let us know,” said Kade. “And we’ve a place you might like to stay, give you breathing space until you figure out what you want to do next.”

  “Thanks. I think we’ve got it covered. But a base would be good, somewhere away from the State where they can’t get to us.”

  “We’ve got company up ahead,” shouted Heath.

  “Militia?” asked Kade, shifting his attention to the back of the truck and peering out the window slot.

  “No. It’s Bellatrix. And she’s alone and on foot,” said Heath.

  “Pick her up,” said Kade, anger hitting him in the gut. “She’s got some explaining to do.”

  “Don’t be too hard on her,” said Honor, her fingers brushing his arm. “Bellatrix was surprised to see Anastasia. She didn’t know this would happen.”

  Kade relaxed under her touch. Honor was right. She was safe. The hybrids had been rescued, and they were going home. A home Honor now understood.

  BELLATRIX HAD CLIMBED onto the truck without protest and huddled among the other hybrids, not making eye contact with anybody. Her shoulders shook and her hands were clasped in front of her.

  Honor couldn’t help but feel sorry for her; her sister had messed up. And although Bellatrix wouldn’t confirm it, it looked like Anastasia hadn’t gotten out of the circus, and paid the ultimate price for rescuing her.

  The truck pulled into the underground bunker and the doors slid shut behind them.

  Honor helped Kade and Lincoln get the hybrids off the vehicle. She then followed them to the medical room, so they could be assessed by Sophia and Clarissa.

  “You need to get checked over, too,” said Kade, his mouth close to Honor’s ear as they walked along. “You might think the dragon blood healed you, but we have no idea how it works, or how long the effects last.”

  “I’m fine,” said Honor, as she stopped and rested against Kade, feeling his solid muscle against her back. She wanted to stay like this forever, having him supporting her and taking care of her. “I’m not dizzy or weak, and the wound on my arm doesn’t hurt. I actually feel really good.”

  “The healing is permanent,” said the skinny, dark-haired hybrid as she glanced over her shoulder. “Our abilities don’t fade. Your injuries won’t return.”

  “You see, I have nothing to worry about.” Honor turned and looked up at Kade, seeing the worry in his eyes. “But if it makes you feel better, I’ll get Sophia to check me over. I’ll put myself at the bottom of her list to treat, she’ll want to tend to the hybrids, first. They need looking after more than me.”

  “At least rest,” said Kade.

  “I will if you will.” Despite the fight they’d just been through, Honor had never felt more alive. And breathing in Kade’s scent, and being so close she saw flecks of brown in his green eyes, made her insides warm.

  “I need to debrief with Heath and Danni. I won’t be able to rest until later.”

  “Come find me when you’re ready for that lie-down.” Honor turned and sashayed away. She was still high on being healed by the dragon’s blood and getting her memories back. If this was a taste of real life inside the bunker, then she was all for it.

  She strode straight into chaos as she walked into the medical room. Every bed was full, and Sophia moved briskly from one bed to the other, checking each new intake and snapping out orders.

  “Daisy, hook up two IVs and fit them to the patients in the end beds,” said Sophia. “And where’s Clarissa?”

  Daisy Saunders, Sophia’s full-time nurse, hurried to carry out Sophia’s orders, her dark curls sliding out of their messy ponytail. She flashed Honor a quick smile as she ran past. “On her way.”

  Honor had had little to do with Sophia since arriving at the base, but her reputation preceded her, and she knew she didn’t like time wasters.

  “Unless it’s life threatening, you need to come back in a couple of days.” Sophia didn’t spare Honor a glance as she spoke.

  “I’m here on Kade’s orders,” said Honor. “But I’m happy to lie and say you checked me over. It will stop him nagging me.”

  Sophia looked at her over the top of her glasses. “You’ve been having fun.”

  “None of this is my blood,” said Honor. “I’m fine. How’s Falcon doing?”

  “Don’t know anyone’s names yet,” said Sophia. “But you’re welcome to go find him. The two male hybrids are in beds behind the curtains.”

  Honor nodded her thanks and walked past four occupied beds. She stopped when she saw Bellatrix huddled on one of them, her arms wrapped around her knees, and her long, red hair masking her face. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m embarrassed,” said Bellatrix, as she pushed her hair back. “My sister should never have tried to bust me out. And she should never have betrayed you and your friends.”

  “It shows she loves you,” said Honor. “I’d have done the same thing, if my sister was in as much trouble as you.”

  “You have a sister?”

  “Her name’s Isla,” said Honor. “She’s sick. I need to go see her, make sure she’s stable. I worry about her all the time.”

  “You sound like Anastasia.” Bellatrix looked at the floor. “She thinks I can’t take care of myself. Always calls me fragile.”

  Honor knew how that felt, having Kade hovering at her side whenever danger threatened, worried she would break any second. It should annoy her, but she was already used to him being around, and missed him when he was away. “What happened to her when you escaped?”

  “We got separated,” said Bellatrix, her voice catching. “Guards spotted us, and she shoved me through a door, shut it and then ran. They chased her and gave me a chance to get away.”

  “They captured her?”

  “I hope she got out,” said Bellatrix. “But she told me not to look back. She said she’d find me again. And she always does. But this time, I don’t know. This is serious.”

  “With her fire-breathing abilities, she’ll be fine,” said Honor, hoping she sounded convincing. “And now she doesn’t have to worry about keeping you safe, she can fight her way out of anything the State throws at her.”

  Bellatrix nodded, although her forehead was furrowed. “She knows she’s made a mistake. I just hope your friends realize that.”

  “They will. Give them a few days to make sense of everything that’s just happened. They won’t hold it against Anastasia.”

  Bellatrix’s gaze shifted around the room. “Where are we?”

  “In an underground bunker,” said Honor. “It shelters people who believe in dragons and fight to bring them back.”

  “You get the whole dragon thing?”

  “Only just. And I have your friend Falcon to thank for that,” said Honor. “In fact, I was just going to find him.”

  “He’ll be out for at least a day,” said Bellatrix. “But he’ll be glad he saved you. Falcon used to work as a healer before he was taken.”

  “Your blood’s healing abilities are remarkable.” Honor flexed her arm.

  Bellatrix smiled. “We do what we can.”

  Honor went to pat Bellatrix’s hand, but she flinched away with a sharp gasp. Honor pulled her hand back in surprise. “I’m sorry. I don’t know the conduct rules around dragons. Actually, I know nothing about you. Didn’t mean to overstep the bounds.”

  “No, it’s not your fault, it’s mine,” said Bellatrix. “I usually wear long gloves, but they were taken from me. I don’t have the same abilities as my sister, but my skin is toxic to humans. If you touch me, you die.”

  Honor’s eyes widened and her gaze ran over Bellatrix. “That’s incredible.”

  “Depends on who you are,” said Bellatrix. “Seamus was usin
g me as a lethal weapon. He’d send me to rivals on the pretense of giving them sexual favors. The second they touched me, they died.”

  “Can another hybrid touch you?”

  “Most can,” said Bellatrix. “My sister is fine. But I can never have a relationship with a human. Not that I’d want to, they’re too vulnerable for my liking. But make sure you get your doctor to wear gloves when she examines me. Figure she’s in high demand, and if I accidentally kill her, I won’t be popular.”

  “Am I being talked about?” Sophia appeared by the side of Bellatrix’s bed.

  “You are. Get gloves on before you touch Bellatrix,” said Honor.

  “I always wear gloves when dealing with patients.” Sophia snapped a pair into place and cracked her fingers together. “Do I need to be careful with you?”

  “You do if you want to live,” said Bellatrix.

  Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a threat.”

  “Nothing like that,” said Bellatrix. “But touch my skin and I’ll poison you. You’ll be dead within ten seconds.”

  Sophia’s other eyebrow raised. “Is that so?”

  “And you need to know about the dragon hybrids’ blood,” said Honor, as she bounced on her toes. “It healed me.”

  Sophia paused from her inspection of Bellatrix. “How?”

  “I landed in hybrid blood and it took away my injuries.”

  Sophia’s nose wrinkled. “I’ll look into this claim later, when fewer people are about to die.”

  Honor fidgeted with her torn shirt. Now that she knew what was going on, she wanted to share it with everybody and get involved. But she didn’t know what to do first. And there was no one to enlighten here. Everyone in the bunker already knew the truth. She turned to leave, but Bellatrix tugged on her shirt.

  “Wait... Honor. Can I ask for a favor?”

  “Sure. What do you need?”

  “It’s a lot to ask, but can you find Anastasia? If she didn’t get away, she’ll be trapped. And Seamus does not forgive.”

  “Seamus is dead,” said Honor.

  “That’s irrelevant. He’s not alone in working at the circus,” said Bellatrix. “He’s got other people doing his dirty work. Once they figure out what’s going on, they’ll come for revenge. And they’ll take it out on my sister.”

  Panic shot through Honor. “Anastasia knows about our base. She could reveal our location.”

  “She wouldn’t do that,” said Bellatrix. “Not after you helped her. And me. That’s all she cared about.”

  “No offense, but she’s already betrayed us once.” Honor hurried away from the medical room and ran straight into Kade, who was striding along the hallway. “We need to get Anastasia back,” Honor said, without preamble.

  “We’re already on it.”

  Honor gripped Kade’s shirt. “If she’s been caught by the State, they will lean on her and—”

  “She’ll reveal our location,” said Kade. “Which is why we will get her back.”

  “I’m coming, too.”

  “Thought you’d say that.” Kade handed Honor a gun. “We leave in three minutes.”

  Chapter 18

  “Hive Two has identified the circus trucks.” Heath kept his voice low as he crouched next to Kade and Lincoln.

  They were a hundred yards from the stopped trucks, tucked in the deepest shadows in a camouflaged Cobra. Arlo and Jude had provided backup on their bikes. Honor was next to Kade, dressed once again in battle fatigues and carrying a gun. He hated to admit it, but the look suited her. And he’d have to get used to this look, if she kept insisting on coming on missions.

  “They must have Anastasia in one of those trucks,” said Honor.

  “Most likely,” said Heath. “That’s if she’s still alive.”

  “We need to be sure of that,” said Kade. “If she talks about our base, that’s it for us. We’ll have to find somewhere else and start again.”

  “And we also need to make sure she’s safe.” Honor shot Kade an angry look.

  He dipped his head but refused to apologize for his sharpness. Thanks to Anastasia, Honor was now in danger for the second time.

  “Got movement on the trucks,” said Colton through everyone’s earpieces.

  “What’s happening?” asked Heath.

  “The trucks have dispatched two smaller vehicles from the back,” said Colton. “They’re doing reconnaissance of their own.”

  “What are they up to?” muttered Heath.

  “Since we messed with their Pleasure Dome, they’ll need a new base to run their dirty games,” said Lincoln. “Could be scouting a new location.”

  “Which direction are they heading?” asked Kade.

  “Toward the Old Shires,” said Colton. “I’ve hacked their comms, and they’re going to a State councillor’s house.”

  “The State runs the Shires,” said Kade. “It’s where the officials have their fancy homes.”

  “Colton, send through information on the councillors living in the Old Shires,” said Heath. “See if you can find any connection to the Pleasure Dome.”

  “Could be some of the State officials like kink in their love lives,” said Lincoln. “If they used the Pleasure Dome, they’ll want to keep it open.”

  “Data coming through to you now,” said Colton. “I’ve got addresses for three State advisers, real high-up types. Before the takeover, all were implicated in taking bribes in return for switching votes. One even served two months in an open prison. The second guy had a sealed criminal record, but I’ve been able to look through it. Apparently, he used to pay for prostitutes. And he liked them young.”

  “What about the third one?” asked Kade.

  “The third one is a woman,” said Colton. “Her house is in the countryside on the edge of the Shires. She’s been in trouble for vote rigging and taking money from private business to influence policy.”

  “And now they work for the State,” said Heath. “No wonder the system is rancid.”

  “Just need everyone else to realize that,” said Kade.

  Heath scanned the data coming through on his comms device. “The Shires are a half hour from here. Jude and Arlo, follow the main vehicle and we’ll tail the others.”

  They both nodded and disappeared into the night on their bikes.

  “The State are up to something, going to visit these councillors,” said Kade. “And it won’t be anything good.”

  “Maybe they’re giving Anastasia to one of these councillors?” suggested Arlo through the comms. “She’s too much trouble for them, but a corrupt councillor might enjoy trying to tame a hybrid.”

  Kade frowned. “If Anastasia has any sense, she’ll burn the councillor’s house to the ground.”

  “If she can,” said Heath. “They also know about her abilities, so they won’t give her an opportunity to use them.”

  They made good progress along the quiet roads, the lanes narrowing as they drove through the countryside toward the Shires. This county had once been a place for millionaires. People who worked in Old London, or made their money in Internet business, before selling it off for a ridiculous amount of credit.

  Kade looked at Honor and noticed how pale she was. “We’ll get Anastasia back.”

  “I hope we can,” said Honor. “Bellatrix worries about her.”

  “I heard about Bellatrix’s ability,” said Kade. “Her toxic skin.”

  “I’d love to study it,” said Honor. “I was thinking it might have something to do with dragon ancestry and the venomous saliva found in lizards. As human and dragon DNA combined, it gave Bellatrix this unique ability.”

  “It would be quite a weapon,” said Kade. “Imagine if we could send out fighters whose touch killed.”

  “There are drawbacks, though,” said Lincoln. “I imagine Bellatrix doesn’t get much company in her bed if she kills with one touch.”

  “It doesn’t affect everybody,” said Honor. “Other hybrids are immune to her. But you probably won’t wan
t to get close.”

  “Bellatrix is a little young for me.”

  “Got your eye on someone else?” asked Kade.

  “I’m always looking for my next adventure with a willing woman.”

  Kade shook his head. “You’ve been through all the women in the base willing to have you.”

  “We get new arrivals all the time,” said Lincoln. “And they’re always looking for a strong pair of arms and a fun ride.”

  “Not all of us,” said Honor, glancing at Kade.

  Kade felt the vehicle slow and leaned toward the hatch to peer out the front window.

  “The militia truck has stopped,” said Heath. “Right outside one of the councillor’s houses Colton identified.”

  “Any sign of Anastasia?”

  “Just militia,” said Heath. “Six of them have gone into the house.”

  “Want us to go in?”

  “Let’s wait and see what they do,” said Heath. “Could be they’re dropping off something official they don’t want getting into the wrong hands. We’ll keep the vehicle in sight in case they take Anastasia out and move her.”

  They waited a few minutes, before Kade saw the militia hurry out of the house and jump into the truck before driving away.

  “Let’s go,” said Heath. They pulled up by the front door of a detached stone brick mansion, with pillars flanking a grand, double entrance, and ivy trailing up the wall.

  “You and Honor go around back,” said Heath, as they met by the side of the Cobra. “I’ll go through the front with Lincoln.”

  Kade nodded and slunk through the shadows with Honor by his side. He peered into the first window they came to, but the lights were off.

  “Who lives here?” whispered Honor.

  “State Councilman Eden,” said Kade, as he did a quick check of the information Colton had sent them. “He has something to do with State finances.”

  They stopped by the back door. Kade tried the handle and found it unlocked. He eased the door open, waiting for an alarm to trigger, but there was silence. He beckoned Honor in behind him, scanning the kitchen they entered for any sign of the Councilman or his family. The lights in the kitchen were off, but a pot sat on the stove, the contents still warm when he tested it.