The Krinar's Informant

by Charmaine Pauls

  He shrugged. “Very well. I admire your loyalty.”

  He’d just have to record their meeting.

  It was late morning when the entrance of the house opened. Liv jumped to her feet when Anita appeared in the opening. Rushing to her friend, she gave her a hug. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?”

  “Zavir programmed access for me.”

  “He did? I’m surprised he even told you I’m here.”

  “He thought you might do with some company.”

  “Damn right. I’m going out of my mind. Zavir won’t let me go out or see anyone. He won’t even tell me how my brothers are doing.” She gripped Anita’s hand. “Do you have any news?”

  Anita made big eyes and glanced at the ceiling.

  Liv followed her gaze. “What?”

  Her friend placed a finger in front of her lips.

  “Oh.” Of course. The house. It’s telling Zavir everything. “I hate this house,” Liv said heatedly. Take that, House. “It’s not a crime asking for news, is it?”

  “We haven’t heard anything other than what’s on the news. I asked around, but any information related to your brothers is top secret.”

  Liv’s shoulders sagged. She slumped down on the long float, dragging Anita with her. “I just want to be sure they’re all right.”

  “I’m sure they are, or Zavir would’ve told you.”

  “I guess.”

  “He seemed really concerned about you. Is he treating you all right?”

  “He’s feeding and clothing me, and he goes out of his way to spoil me. He gave me flowers and a pretty dress, as well as my favorite meals, books, and music. I suppose, in his own way, he tries to even show me affection.”

  “But?”

  “But I’m his pet. His prisoner.”

  “Oh, Liv. That sucks. I’m so sorry.”

  “In three weeks’ time, he’s throwing an engagement party.” She held out her hand, showing Anita her ring.

  “Yes, he told us. That sure is a pretty ring.”

  “There must be something I can do, someone I can petition.”

  “I’m afraid that’s not how it works.”

  Liv spread her arms. “This is my fate?”

  “It’s not so bad, you know. I’m very happy here.”

  “It’s not the same. You and Wian love each other. He didn’t kidnap and hold you against your will. You’re free to come and go and have a job.”

  “Well,” Anita brushed a curl behind her ear, “free to an extent. Wian is very possessive.”

  “Will he forbid you to see your family?”

  “No, never, but our circumstances aren’t the same.”

  “You mean your family hasn’t been a threat to the Krinar rule.”

  “Liv, he must feel something for you if he’s willing to take you as his charl.”

  “Oh, he does. We do.” She brushed out the creases in her skirt, avoiding her friend’s eyes. “It’s called lust.”

  “Isn’t that the beginning of love?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I can’t live like this.”

  “You know what? You need to get out more.”

  Liv snorted. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  Anita sat up straighter. “You need sun and fresh air. You need out of this bubble. A swim in the ocean and a barbecue on the beach.”

  “Zavir will never let me.”

  “The men can come along. That way, Zavir can make sure for himself that you don’t run away.” She smiled conspiratorially. “They can take care of cooking our lunch.”

  “It sounds wonderful. I’d do anything for a day out of these rooms. It feels like I’m locked up in a padded asylum.”

  “I’ll speak to Wian, so we can set a date.”

  “What about your job?” Anita was a children’s book illustrator, and her schedule was always hectic.

  Anita grinned. “One day isn’t going to make a difference. Anyway, my leave is overdue.”

  Liv hugged her again. “You’re the best.”

  * * *

  Anita stayed for lunch, and only left when Wian called to say he was worried because it was getting late. Liv’s mood was much lighter after the visit.

  Zavir smiled at her when he got home. “You look happy.”

  “I won’t exactly call it happy,” she retaliated, “but I am thankful for the visit.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I didn’t say thank you.”

  “You implied it.”

  “The mere fact that I’m saying thank you for a visit from a friend should tell you how wrong this situation is.”

  His face drew tight. “Don’t start. We’ve been doing great for all of a minute.”

  “Jeez, we’re making progress.”

  “Liv.”

  The way in which he said her name made her shut her mouth. Rubbing her temples, she walked to the kitchen. Thanks to the ever-intelligent, tattletale house, there were no tasks waiting for her, but it gave her time to compose herself and find calm. Starting a fight wasn’t going to help.

  “Wian said Anita wants to go on a picnic.”

  She turned back quickly. “At the beach. What do you think?”

  He crossed the floor, coming to a stop in front of her. A smile played in his gray eyes. “You seem excited about the idea.”

  “I am.” She swallowed, waiting for his verdict.

  He lowered his head, so they were on eye level. “Are you going to make a run for it again?”

  Defeat and humiliation heated her cheeks. She shook her head.

  “Pity.” He cupped her ass, pulling her against his hard body. “I enjoyed the aftermath.”

  Annoyed again, she pushed away. “I didn’t.”

  “That’s the point of punishment.” His smile turned knowing. “Although, you didn’t hate all of it.”

  Why did he always have to mock her with her weakness of will? Wasn’t it enough that she lost the battle? Every time. Wasn’t her humiliation enough?

  A stormy hue replaced the bright glint of his eyes. “What is it, Liv?”

  She schooled her features, knowing her anger was showing on her face. She’d never been good at hiding her feelings. Brushing it off with a, “Nothing,” she turned for the bedroom, but he grabbed her wrist.

  “What just happened?”

  She shrugged. “Nothing. Really. I need a shower.”

  “Nothing?” He scrutinized her. “The one minute you’re excited about going on a picnic, and the next you look like I ripped your last bite of food from your mouth.”

  Counting slowly to five, she breathed in and out. “I’m sorry if my look offended you. Will you just let me go so I can have my shower?”

  “You don’t need one.”

  “How the hell do you know?”

  “You had one not over an hour ago.”

  Was he serious? She freed her arm with a jerk. “You’re an asshole.”

  “So, you’ve said.”

  She couldn’t deal with this–him–right now. She tried to move around him, but he blocked her way.

  “Spit it out, Liv. Why are you acting like this? Are you having your period?”

  That was it. Her anger bubbled over like an ugly cauldron full of poison. She acted before thinking, striking out to hurt him as much as he was hurting her, but he caught her wrist before her palm could connect with his cheek.

  His words were measured. “Be glad I caught you in time.”

  “Why? Because you would’ve given me another spanking? My, oh my. What a hypocrite you are.”

  “I didn’t slap you in anger. That was discipline. It was different.” His gaze pierced hers. “And it made you wet.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. She pulled on his hold, but he wouldn’t give. It only fueled the tears of helplessness and anger flowing over her cheeks, but she refused to acknowledge them.

  Blinking through the tears, she said, “That’s exactly it.”

  Frustration laced his voice. “What is exactl
y what?”

  “Why do you have to keep on rubbing it in my face?”

  “Rubbing what in your face?”

  “My losses. My weakness. Every fucking battle I lose. Isn’t my humiliation enough for you?”

  “Your humiliation?” He stared at her, his expression dark. “If I wanted to humiliate you, I guarantee you wouldn’t have had an ounce of pride left in your body. And sex with me is not a battle. My bed is not a battlefield where enemies slay each other. We both come. Every time.”

  “You don’t understand,” she whispered.

  “Make me, damn you.”

  “You can’t.”

  “Why in all of your gods’ names not?”

  “We’re not the same.”

  The minute the words were out, he stilled. They both did. It sounded too much like a verdict. One by one, he lifted his fingers, releasing her. She took a step back and another.

  When he didn’t chase her, she said, “I’m going for a shower. I don’t care what the house said or what you think I need.”

  Turning her back on him, she rushed to the bathroom, expecting him to come after her, but he didn’t. Only a stunned kind of silence followed her into the space. The strained atmosphere remained as she stepped into the shower, not to clean herself, but to hide. In the privacy of the cubicle, she gave free reign to her tears, letting them fall with abundance.

  The smell of Liv’s tears and the sounds of her sobs reached Zavir in the bedroom. He was tempted to go after her, but a small voice coming from somewhere other than his mind, a place closer to his heart, told him she needed her space. Space from him.

  Zut.

  He’d tried everything he could think of. Humans were more complicated than he’d thought. Relations with Krinar women were a lot less confusing. They got together with a male, had sex, repeatedly if they enjoyed it, and after forty-seven years, if a bond had formed, they mated. Liv enjoyed sex with him, of that he was sure. Her physical reactions couldn’t lie. They did it repeatedly. A bond had definitely started forming, at least for him. The latter part scared him, but he was willing to take any consequences that came with claiming the little human as his charl. She was his. Was from the minute he’d laid eyes on her in that bar. It was too late to turn back. He knew that, but how did he make her accept it? It always came back to the same question, and he wasn’t any closer to an answer than the day he’d decided to take her for himself.

  The house announced a caller at the entrance, distracting him from his thoughts. Xita. Activating the hologram on the intercom, he asked impatiently, “What is it?”

  “Quite a welcome,” she replied in Krinar.

  He switched to their language. “Cut out the sarcasm. What do you want?”

  “You’re no fun when you’re grumpy. No wonder your charl can’t live with you.”

  “I’m in no mood for your psychoanalysis.”

  “Touché. Let me in. We need to talk.”

  “About what?”

  She glanced above her but kept quiet. Whatever she had to say, she didn’t want the Krinar eyes in the sky to record it.

  “This better be important,” he said through tight lips.

  The wall disintegrated to let Xita in. She was wearing a tight, red dress with a long slit, revealing a slender leg.

  “What’s with the attire?”

  She cocked a hip. “Like it?”

  “Does it matter?”

  She gave a sultry smile. “No. I have an embassy event to attend. I thought it would show our willingness to meet our Earth partners halfway if I dress according to Earth standards.”

  “You’re here because?”

  She crossed the floor, craning her neck to see into the bedroom. “Where’s your charl? I’m curious to see how she’s doing.”

  “Get to the point.”

  She sighed, stopping short of him. “May I at least have a drink? It’s a long trip to the embassy.”

  “Why don’t you go by pod?”

  “I’m driving with the ambassador in his limo.”

  He ordered refreshments from the house but didn’t offer her a seat. He wanted her gone before Liv had finished her shower.

  “Thank you,” she said when he handed her a Krina juice.

  “You’re not with government affairs. Why the sudden interest in the ambassador?”

  She took a small sip, barely wetting her lips. “It’s on Korum’s orders. Information sharing.”

  “Information sharing?”

  “That’s why I’m here. I can lose my job over this, even get exiled to Krina or have my memory wiped, but I thought you should know.”

  He tensed. “Know what?”

  “I found something going through the memory extraction records we took of the rebels.”

  “What?”

  “I think I know where our rebel twins and their leader may be hiding.”

  “Where?”

  “There’s a Resistance cell in South Africa that used to be run by Keiths. Your charl’s brothers have visited it more than once. It would make sense that we can’t trace them there. Keith technology sends any invasive or external probing devices back like a mirage. It’s a kind of a safe house, for a lack of a better term.”

  “Why hasn’t Korum informed me?”

  “He thinks your charl is compromised.”

  “Like a double agent?” he asked with disbelief.

  “Exactly.”

  “How does he intend to prove it?”

  “By ordering a memory scan.”

  He balled his hands. “No.”

  “You won’t be able to stop it. The order will come from the Council.”

  If guilty, Liv’s memory would be erased. He’d disappear from her mind. Everything they’d shared would be gone.

  “What about the brothers?” he asked tightly. “How is Korum going to deal with them?”

  “He doesn’t have a choice but to honor the deal you’ve made. The ambassador doesn’t. He didn’t make a deal.”

  “That’s why Korum is sharing the information with the ambassador. He knows the South African government will send someone to take them out.”

  “Yes.”

  “Zut.” Liv would never forgive him. It was the one thing that would irrevocably decide the fate of their relationship. He’d keep her, and she’d hate him forever. He’d have no chance at finding common ground or peace with her. “You have to tell me where Karl and Erik are.”

  “I can’t say for sure they’ll be there, but here, take this.” She handed him a microchip reader. “It’s the location.”

  “Thank you. I’m grateful.”

  She smiled. “You’re welcome. See? Told you I’m on your side. There’s a little bit of good news in this for you.”

  “What?”

  “I scrambled the location. Korum is having a team on it as we speak. I’d say you have about a week before they crack the code.”

  “If he finds out–”

  “Shh.” She pressed her finger on his lips. “He’s not going to find out it was me, unless you talk.”

  “I won’t betray you. I promise.”

  “How are you planning on dealing with this? If you free the twins, Korum will know it’s you. He’ll want an explanation.”

  “I’ll think of something.”

  “Just remember, my ass is on the line, too.”

  “I won’t forget, and I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.”

  Going on tiptoes, she snaked her arms around his neck. “Don’t I get a little more than a thank you?”

  He gripped her hips to push her away. “I appreciate what you did, but–”

  Her lips covered his. Her body molded to his in a familiar way, a way he remembered well, but it was wrong. Offensive. Before he had time to break the embrace, a sharp inhale of breath came from the door. He gripped Xita hard, setting her aside roughly before turning his attention to the person who’d made that little hurtful sound.

  Liv stood on the threshold, wearing one of his exerci
se T-shirts. Her face was paler than usual, and her eyes red-rimmed from crying. Straightening her back, she said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were busy, but if you’re going to fuck someone else, at least have the decency to do it somewhere different.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  The woman Zavir held in his arms was painfully beautiful. It was Xita from the medical center. It didn’t help that she was as perfect as Zavir or dressed for a ball. Liv felt small in Zavir’s over-sized T-shirt, and not in a physical sense. Inwardly, she cringed.

  “Oh, dear,” Xita said, switching to English. “She’s very catty.”

  Zavir responded harshly in Krinar, to which Xita snickered.

  She walked over to Liv. “How are you doing? Adapting to life in Lenkarda?”

  Locked up as a prisoner? Was the woman being sarcastic?

  Xita sighed. “Maybe you don’t know, but Zavir and I are old … acquaintances.”

  “Yes,” Liv said. “That was obvious.”

  “Well, then. I’ll be off.” On her way to the exit, she gave Zavir a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t miss me.”

  Liv stared at the wall through which Xita had disappeared.

  Silence stretched. Zavir seemed to be at a loss for words.

  “Just so we’re clear,” she said, “are you a polygamous species?”

  “No,” he replied, his nostrils flaring, “although, it’s not unheard of for a mated Krinar couple to take a charl.”

  “So, it’s possible that you’d mate with a Krinar woman in the future and keep me as charl.”

  “Never. I don’t share, and I don’t believe in double standards.”

  “Ah, so fucking someone else would be cheating.”

  “I wasn’t fucking her.”

  “Not yet.”

  He walked to her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Were you going to?”

  His face was an unreadable mask. “No.”

  “Did you?”

  “Did I what?”

  “You know what I’m asking. Have you fucked her?”

  He worked his jaw sideways, the muscles bunching. After a strained silence, he said, “Yes.”

  “Was it serious?”

  “The attraction was mutual, that’s all. It didn’t last long.”