by Cara Carnes
Kandos spent most of the summer at the bed-and-breakfast under the guise of a vacation, but she knew the real purpose. Her brothers wanted her protected at all times. She had failed them.
She remembered vividly the events that had unfolded. Deciding that she needed to learn to defend herself, Kandos began teaching her holding techniques. She gladly began the mock battle with him, wanting to share that work part of him he rarely showed her.
Being alone with him in the small exercise room of the alien visitor apartment unit had made her body respond quickly. Each touch had awakened the need for him she suppressed. Then he pinned her under him. It was an innocent holding maneuver, but her body had responded instantly to his. Mortified, thinking he realized her desire for him, she had fled the safety of the complex and run straight into the arms of the enemy.
There had been so many of them, and they had cornered her just a short distance from the rented space. She had fought, clawed and punched with all her strength, but they subdued her easily enough. Taken to a building at the edge of town, she was kept in a room devoid of all furniture except a cage in the center of the large room. Then they had injected her. The last thing she remembered was the burning sensation as the liquid flowed through her veins, and Kandos walking into the room alone.
Anger welled up in her as she tried to accept the pitiful excuse for a future she had. A tagratis. Many chose death over suffering for a lifetime of that fate. Tagratis females needed a constant flow of sexual satisfaction but were repulsed by their race’s males. That level of need created an impossible barrier to their obtaining a lifelong mate. No male could satisfy the urges fully.
She knew very little about the regulations surrounding the tagratises. They were turned in, processed and judged. Depending on the results, they were isolated and never allowed to return to civilization.
Rina forced the thoughts from her head. She had one day before the processing. She cradled the aquamarine stone protectively within her hand and savored the cool feeling of the chain that held it. The stone of Ancient Earth provided the only known deterrence to the conversion and had quickly become the most sought-after gem.
The stone possessed the richest blue-green color imaginable with no visible flaws. Rina wondered how Kandos had come into possession of this necklace but was grateful for it. The legends must be true.
Folklore from Ancient Earth told of the aquamarine’s healing properties. Many civilizations coveted the gem for its legendary ability to prevent poisoning and because it was thought that the stone rendered the wearer invincible. Rina never put much faith in the ancient stories, but clearly there might be some merit to them after all.
She closed her eyes and allowed the calming sensation of the stone to flow into her hand and through her body. She hoped the stone would hold off the worst of the conversion long enough to savor tonight.
* * * * *
Kandos entered the observation room and sighed seeing the white flowing robes. The Council. It amazed him how quickly the leaders of Cadar learned of things, but he suspected he had that little office assistant to thank for this visit.
The grim look on Solvan’s face spoke volumes. Placing himself in the corner as far away from the Council as possible, he stood there glaring at six emotionless men in their thirties. Their faces held no sentiment when they turned to face Kandos. They took their positions seriously. Kandos knew they would scrutinize this situation because he should have let someone else deal with Rina. He was too close.
Kandos dutifully knelt before them before rising and assuming the standard guardian stance—feet eight inches apart, shoulders back and hands locked behind him. He knew not to speak until addressed. Doing so was the highest form of disrespect.
“At ease, Kandos. We merely came to offer our assistance with your friend. How is she?” Kandos knew better than to believe in the friendship Brivant Saltanavos offered. The other man was leader of the Council. His life’s mission was to see to the safety of all Cadari. He had no time for friends.
“I’m sure Rina would be honored to know she was worthy enough to be visited by the entire Council.” A choked gasp of surprise from the corner registered through the room, warning him he was pushing his luck. The accusation was clear, but he didn’t care.
“Your friend here was kind enough to remind us of League policy. Since she is human, we will be unable to examine her medical records or inquire about her officially until the proper paperwork has been received.” Kandos wanted to smile, seeing the displeasure on the Council member’s face was almost worth the admonishment he would receive later for his discourteous comment.
“She is doing well, thank you for asking. Solvan had been invaluable to her recovery.” Kandos watched the Council members circle the room, knew they were looking at the banks of monitors on the walls. He doubted they understood all of them, but their combined memory would recall all the images. It would do them little good though, since all doctors would refuse to interfere in one of Solvan’s cases.
Most of the medical advances Cadar prided themselves for in past ten years had been under Solvan’s direction. He was the most sought-after mind around, and no one would question him. Ever.
“We trust that you remember your duty and will serve the Realm fully in this matter. Your father would expect no less.” Kandos tightened his fists, using the pain of his fingers digging into the flesh of his palm to deter his fury.
His father had died a hero, yet the Council refused to let the people of his world know that. The Council had labeled his father a traitor to the Realm, refusing to take responsibility for a covert operation that had failed miserably. It had been their fault, and his father had been the scapegoat.
Kandos remembered very little of the events leading up to that assignment but knew it had been one his father did not want. Duty demanded that he accept the undercover assignment, and he had almost succeeded in infiltrating the Zacori. But when he was captured, the Council chose to brand him a traitor rather than admit Cadari defeat.
“The blood of my ancestors has been spilled for the Realm and the common good for centuries. I will not be the Strabuquar to change that. My flesh and bone are for the people, not for myself.” Honor was his existence, except for Rina. Glancing behind the Council, he noticed that the glimmering shield had been raised. It prevented viewing access to the medical chamber. He looked over at his friend, silently thanking him for his support.
“Processing will commence tomorrow evening. Have you contacted her family?” The Council was all business all the time. People benefited from their unique ability to remain focused though. He pitied the men because they were decent, hardworking men sacrificing their personal existence for the common good of their race, and for all species across the galaxies.
“Not yet. As you are aware, her brothers are out of reach at the moment. They will be notified once there is reason to do so.” Those two fools were never out of contact for long, and they always made sure he knew exactly how to get hold of them. But that knowledge wasn’t something he shared with anyone.
“You put a lot of faith in Solvan.” The accusation was flung at Kandos from the newest Council member. Kandos didn’t know his name, any of their names actually except for the leader. Their identities remained a secret to all except those who had known them before.
“He is the most brilliant mind in existence. I would trust him with anyone’s life. The Council and the League would never have anyone but the very best at their disposal to deal with the tagratis tragedy befalling our people, and those of other worlds. To imply otherwise would be an insult to everything they stand for, don’t you think?” Kandos heard Solvan cough loudly again, but kept his gaze riveted on his accuser. The man’s eyes lit up in anger, but his face never expressed it, nor did his actions. He merely nodded his agreement.
Brivant stepped forward and placed his hand on Kandos’ shoulder. “You do not trust my friendship, but know this. Your service to our people is most appreciated, and I hope that R
ina is okay. Should you have need of me, I am here. Believe in that at least.”
Kandos recalled the speculation that the Council members had their memories removed from them to prevent interference of a personal nature impeding their duty. There had been a time when the leader before him was like a brother. They had shared many of the same heartaches of sharing a father with the galaxies. Having both lost their mothers at an early age, they spent most of their time in protection facilities on Cadar. They were a glorified babysitting service organized for the children of the Cadari protectors, and his life there had been a lonely, painful existence devoid of love and sense of family.
But he knew better than to think Brivant remembered any of it, or cared if he did. Whatever the Council had to go through to lead the galaxies was the biggest sacrifice of all. It was hard enough to imagine a man making that type of commitment, but it was even harder when it was the one you considered your brother.
“It is I who am always indebted to you. Be well, my leader.” Kandos placed his right hand on Brivant’s shoulder. It was the Cadari way of showing praise, and a symbol of that person’s willingness to carry the other’s burden should the need arise. He had been shocked when Brivant had done so earlier and he suspected the other members of Council were as well.
The Council members nodded their heads toward Kandos as they departed. Solvan’s sigh of relief filled the room. “Please tell me that will be the last visit they grace us with.”
Kandos laughed at Solvan as he watched him lower the glimmering shield and turn on the monitors that had been off. “Thank you for having my back. It isn’t a good position to be in, you know.”
“You’ve had mine on more occasions than I could possibly remember in far worse situations, my friend. Take care of Rina. You only have one evening, you know.” The somberness of the statement ripped through the air.
“And a lifetime to live in that time. I am grateful to you for giving me that night. Had you not demanded League sanction on Rina’s behalf, they would have taken her into custody this evening.” Kandos knew that was the true intent of the Council’s presence. It was customary for high-profile or questionable tagratis conversions to be held in a secured government-run facility. Council had dictated that years earlier when a Council member was converted and a riot ensued.
“Where will you take her?” To most people that question would seem odd, but he knew the depth of it. Like most Cadari, Kandos valued privacy and the home was his domain and sanctuary. He had allowed no one entrance into it. It was the one place he could be himself without thinking of his duty first.
To many Cadari, opening up their home to someone was the same as giving that person their heart and soul. All buildings on Cadar were the same stark white with amber tinted lighting, without any decoration or material possessions to set them apart. But homes were different. While they were still the same on the outside, the insides were extravagantly ornamented and furnished.
The sanction that all buildings and residences be the same provided all citizens with a sense of equality. The poorest aerotransport sanitation worker had the same home as the Cadari leader. That was the Cadari way.
“Home, where she should have been taken when she first got here. I want her to see it once. I need to share it with her.”
* * * * *
The soft click of the door as it slid open caused her to look up and see the grim look on Kandos’ face. She hoped he would forget her after tonight, and prayed he would hold no guilt.
Most of all, she didn’t want him to be with her when she had to be turned in. She couldn’t handle it, and had to devise a way to go without him. It would be easier to turn back time, she thought sadly.
“Are you ready to go?”
She nodded as he walked over and gently pried the stone out of her hand, tucking it under the thin gown. “It is best if this remains hidden, I imagine.”
Her pulse began to race with the realization she would get her night. Her heated skin welcomed his cool touch, his fingers blazed a trail up to her lips. She stared into his eyes and sucked one of his fingers into her mouth. He groaned and pulled it out quickly.
“How did you come to have a stone of this rarity?”
“It is a long story that is not mine to tell. Your brothers recently came into possession of it. I am merely serving as a guardian. I assumed they would not mind their little sister wearing it.”
Rina smiled seeing the amused look on his face. “You know how they hate when I use their stuff. They’ll probably kick your ass.”
His laughter filled the room as he cupped her face with his hands and brought her eyes up to match his. “They will probably kill me but we both know it won’t have anything to do with the necklace.”
She smiled, hearing the sensual tone in his response. “I guess we need to make sure and make it worth their time then.”
The door clicked open once again and Solvan walked in. Rina smiled at him. “How does this aquamarine stone work anyway?”
Walking toward her, Solvan paused and grasped the stone. “It was discovered by mistake when a woman from Trinity was converted and brought to the holding facility here in Grivolno. This was a few years ago, and her planet was the main supplier of aquamarine.” His thumb rubbed over the hard surface slowly, his voice holding her attention. “Some of the doctors and I noticed her body was less responsive to the conversion than other species.”
“And it was because she wore an aquamarine stone?”
“Yes. Testing of the hypothesis indicated it held enough merit to be mentioned. And now, this little piece of stone is the most sought-after thing known.” Gazing down at the necklace, she thought of her brothers. There was no telling how they got it.
“I guess we will have to question my brothers about its origin, then.”
“Indeed. You are very lucky they had that. Is it helping?”
“I can feel its calming energy flowing into my body, so I know it is helping.”
“Good. I will keep her company while you arrange for transport,” Solvan said. She watched Kandos leave, wondering what type of vehicle they would use. Cadar had such a variety it was unimaginable. Her favorite was the aerocar, a small flying vehicle that operated off the excess gases in the atmosphere. She had ridden in one only once, the day she arrived on Cadar.
But they had other transports available. The Megordo disc rider was her brothers’ favorite. Composed of a thin material found only on Megord, it was a small circular device with two surfaces. The lower portion spun at a rapid pace, which created the energy needed to propel its flight. The upper portion of the disc was where the rider stood. It required enormous skill to ride and was very popular amongst thrill seekers.
Rina always preferred safer transportation. Most commoners chose to ride the free aerobuses. Ground transportation was rare on Cadar because of the rocky terrain.
“Thank you for taking such good care of me. I appreciate it.” She looked around shyly, her body still pulsating with unrequited need.
“It has been my pleasure,” Solvan said. She watched him walk up to her and hold his hand out, showing her a small electronic device. “This will help you with your plan, I believe. I am against it, but I understand why you feel the need to do it. Hold this against his right temple and it will ensure he sleeps for at least four hours.”
Rina took the device and looked at him curiously. She looked down at the small, innocent-looking device. Only on Cadar could a piece of lightweight metal the size of an Ancient Earth dime be strong enough to knock out one of the best-trained protectors of the Realm. She had said nothing of her desire to leave Kandos behind when it was time to part ways, yet Solvan knew. Did that mean he could read all her thoughts? “I am an empath,” he said. “I sensed you wished to spare him the pain of seeing you in the holding facility. He will be hurt by that decision, but I do agree it would be best to part ways in a more intimate manner. The alternative would be much more devastating in the long run.” Solvan cared about Kandos
—that much was clear.
“Thank you.” She slipped the small device into the pocket of her Cadari uniform. One thing she loved about Cadar was the uniform. Made of thin fibers, the material was soft and soothing to her heated skin. Softer than cotton, it was mined by the Zacori prisoners from the Glurtaki fields, on the nearest planet to Cadar.
Common people wore the uniform in bright colors, most choosing to ornament themselves in their family colors. Denoting their familial trades and accomplishments, certain colors were reserved. Only people of Kandos’ station were allowed to wear black uniforms with silver trim. She had always thought Kandos looked incredibly sexy in his and doubted she would ever forget how well he filled out the black outfit.
